The Shadow of Thy Wings

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
To find its shelter in God is one of the earliest and most necessary experiences taught by the Spirit to the renewed soul. Not shelter from, God, however necessary this may be when He is considered as a judge, but shelter with Him, the question of our sins having been settled by the blood. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God," and the heart now reposes with confidence in His righteousness, while in contrast the works of men are found in the paths of the destroyer (Psalm 17:1, 2, 41<<A Prayer of David.>> Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. 2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. (Psalm 17:1‑2)
4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (Psalm 17:4)). The word of His lips preserves there from, and points out His paths; His eyes behold the things that are equal. This produces entire confidence in God in the midst of deadly and deceitful foes. "Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings." v. 8. The world and the men of it are rejected, prospering apparently now as they do; and to behold the face of God in righteousness, and to bear His likeness at that glorious awakening, is the desire and satisfaction of the soul (vv. 13-15).
But there is not only future satisfaction. Having access into this grace wherein we stand gives present enjoyment of the favor of God. The wicked centers all his thoughts upon himself; he sees nothing but self, not God (Psalm 36:1, 21<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.>> The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. (Psalm 36:1‑2)). But for them that know Him ( v. 10), the universe is filled with what they have learned of Him. In the heavens is His mercy; unto the clouds His faithfulness; like the great mountains is His righteousness, and a vast ocean His judgment (vv. 5, 6). He preserves every living thing. It is on account of the lovingkindness of God that the children of men put their trust under the shadow of His wings. There they are abundantly satisfied with His rich provision, and drink of the exhaustless pleasures which His favor affords—a favor which is the source of life and the bright anticipation of glory (vv. 5-10). We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only therefore does the shadow of His wings afford abiding security and peace, but "bread enough and to spare"; there is "the fatness of Thy house," and there "the river of Thy pleasures."
Shelter and food are good indeed, and we are enabled to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God; but power is needed for the wilderness path in order to rejoice in tribulations also. Again, "the shadow of Thy wings" becomes "my refuge, until these calamities be overpast" (Psalm 57:11<<To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.>> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psalm 57:1)). "The love of God... shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" is the key to all the exercises by the way. Divine power is there. "God... performeth all things for me" (v. 2), and that even when we were yet without strength; for then it was Christ died for the ungodly. A heavenly deliverance too is ours: "He shall send from heaven, and save" (v. 3). We shall be saved from wrath through Him. Doubtless, in the wilderness we are cast out, as David was "when he fled from Saul in the cave" (see title to psalm), his "soul... among lions" (v. 4); but God is exalted above the heavens, and His glory above all the earth (vv. 5, 11). Therefore we can praise.
And not only so, but we also make our boast in God Himself through our Lord Jesus Christ; for though in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is (Psalm 63:11<<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalm 63:1)), through Him now we have received the reconciliation. His lovingkindness is better than life, therefore there is praise, blessing and adoration (vv. 3-5). But there is more. There is rejoicing in the "shadow of Thy wings" (v. 7). We joy in God, known in this intimacy and nearness. Not alone have we peace and protection, and withal abundant satisfaction, under the cover of His wings, but power is received from thence by which the love of God is known, and deliverance assured while we are still in an evil world. And, above all things precious, it is in the shadow of His wings that God Himself becomes the full, sufficient, and sole portion of our hearts (v. 6).