Thought for the Day 15/06/21 - Chicken wings

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Hot, hot, HOT ...

This last week has been a hot one here. 

It's the time of year when there is a LOT to do outside and on the farm, but the weather has been 'hotly inclement'. 

It's the sort of weather to be out and about early, come inside to find shelter and shade by lunchtime, then go out again in the evening to sweep up the jobs that couldn't get done earlier.

In Wales, that is unusual for us and you have to be alert because you can get caught out, and after all ...

Shelter is an essential for survival

We need SHELTER from the elements on days like this.

That shelter in the cool not only protects us from the threat of exposure to heat, dehydration, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke ... these can all be fatal ... but it gives us refreshment and a sense of calm and joy. 

To get amongst some trees with some fluid to drink and a little fresh food to eat does a great deal to lift our spirits, as those threats are relieved.

Shelter is more than a roof

I shall personally never forget walking into a hotel at Nefta after a challenging day along the Algerian border, stepping into the shade and cool of the marbled building still covered in the dust of the desert and being handed a cool fruit drink. 

Or stepping into a Berber tent in the heat of the day to be handed a small glass of mint tea and invited into that shelter to rest.

It brings not only relief of life-threatening physical symptoms, but a deep sense of peace to the soul.

The very picture of shelter and shalom

And it's a beautiful and a classic picture of the giving of shelter and peace that lies at the heart of our Verse for the Day today:

“He will cover you with his feathers, 

and under his wings you will find refuge; 

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:4‬

https://www.bible.com/113/psa.91.4.nivuk

What this verse is saying is that the Lord will put a 'cover' over His people ... but that's not all, and we need to stay close to that cover's purpose in Scripture.

What we have here is a similar idea to the prayer of Psalm 5:11 where the psalmist prays for all those who take refuge in the Lord to be glad and sing for joy:

“But may all who take shelter in you be happy! 

May they continually shout for joy! 

Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:11

https://www.bible.com/107/psa.5.11.net

What God's faithful people are doing is seeking God's protection NOT just so that they can cower away from the things that threaten them, but so that they might thrive in God's service with REJOICING!

The Point

Chicks give every appearance of gladness to be sheltered under their parental wings. They sense security and are sheltered there, and it gives them peace.

Similarly, the shelter of the Lord's 'wings' enjoyed by His faithful people in Scripture is not just a removal of immediate threat to continue to live a miserable existence!

The person who takes refuge under the shelter of HIS wings enters into the joy of their Lord!

The Takeaway

The covenant people of God take up their position under His 'wing' ... we come to Him for refuge and put our trust in Him as our shield and protector.

But in the words of God's promise to Abram after he defeated the five kings and rescued his nephew Lot:

“‘Do not be afraid, Abram. 

I am your shield, your very great reward.’”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15:1‬

https://www.bible.com/113/gen.15.1.nivuk

It can be all too easy to stop short at the shield, without going on to rejoice in the fact He is our very great reward.

Are we rejoicing not just that God puts a roof over His people, but that under His roof there's great reward in which to rejoice?