"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."
(PSALM 57:1)

Psalm 57
Many years ago, I hand-raised ten baby chicks, hoping to end up with some good laying hens. Those chicks depended on me for food and water, and while tiny they would run to me when they heard the gate of the chicken yard open.
As they grew, though, they would squawk and run away instead.


One day while feeding and watering, I heard a sound and watched a large shadow pass over. Ten half-grown pullets rushed to me. I leaned down and wrapped my arms around them as a hot-air balloon drifted over us. The frightened chicks huddled in silence under the “wings” of the only mother they knew. David’s brief parable of taking refuge under God’s wings became clear to me that day.


Once Jesus wept over Jerusalem saying, “I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). Have you run away from Him, confident in your own strength? Have you darted back to Him when a monumental tragedy looms overhead? Jesus still longs to gather us in, day in and day out.



Scripture Focus

Psalm 57

Insight

EVEN THE MOST INDEPENDENT OF US FIND WE NEED A PLACE OF SAFETY AND THE ASSURANCE THAT ONLY JESUS PROVIDES.

Bible In A Year

  • Genesis 18-19
  • Psalm 9
  • Matthew 14-15

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