Under His wings

I like to spend my Saturdays walking. A few months ago, whilst walking by the river, I remember spotting a swan with her cygnets hiding under her wings. I reflected upon why the swan does this, how the swan protects her young from dangers like predators and harsh weather, carries them when they get too tired or cannot keep up and protects her young whilst still being able to feed (multi-tasking).

A few weeks ago, I was on another walk this time in the Wyre Forest. The weather was awful. It was pouring with rain, but as I walked through the trees, they provided a covering and reduced the harshness of the rain. Although I got a bit wet the impact of the heavy rain was greatly reduced, I wasn’t soaked through! In that moment I remembered the picture of the cygnets being protected by the swan’s wings.

These thoughts led me to Psalm 91. In verses 1 to 4 we read: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection.”

This psalm reminds us of how God protects us when we are going through difficulty and that we can find refuge in Him. When we face turbulent times, when we are tired and need carrying, when we face things that feel so overwhelming that we cannot see a way forward or through, God, like the swan, will shelter us under His wings. He protects His children, and He can multi-task, just like the swan. Protecting whilst providing.

God is our refuge an ever-present help in times of trouble.