Under His Wings
Everybody loves seeing baby chicks. They are cute, warm, and fuzzy. Who wouldn’t take 2 seconds to say, “ooooohhhh, how cute?” and maybe even hold one for 15 seconds before going back to whatever it is they are doing? But who would love those baby chicks enough to spend 3 weeks on limited rations in isolation just to find out if any of the eggs will hatch? And who would love those baby chicks enough to develop a system of communication with them where one type of cluck means “come,” another means “go,” and a frantic, hysterical cackle means “RUN AWAY!” And who would love those baby chicks enough to hide them under her wings every morning at dawn when those 6-ounce magpies come looking for a warm meal, every afternoon when the 8 pound housecat or the 35 pound border collie sees an opportunity to play, and every random moment that the 175 pound human might show up trying to sneak a picture? The mother hen, of course.
Likewise, everybody loves seeing baby humans. Grandmothers line up to hold them for 5 minutes. Photographers get out the boas and feathered hats to capture a glamorous digital image to share. Everybody stops to say, “how cute? He has your nose,” before going back to whatever it is they are doing. But who would love them enough to alter every bodily function for 9 months knowing they might have to endure the unpleasantness of morning sickness, the pain of a sciatic nerve, the hindrance of diabetes, and the hours of labor and delivery? And who would love them enough to quit their job and social standing to commit to this new life they have not even met yet? And who would love them enough to spend every napping moment trying to catch up on chores and every sleepless night rocking back and forth? And who would love them enough to change their dirty diapers, teach them to eat vegetables of all kinds, discipline their selfishness, acquaint them with manners, morals, and mathematics, just to see them grow up and go away? The mother, of course.
And who loves every one of us with that same type of commitment, determination, and forbearance, not just for a month or two, not just for several decades, but for eternity? Only one God loves us this much and His name is Jesus. He endures the pain of our every sin and their manifold consequences. He forgives our every rebellious thought that we bring before Him. He spent 3 years ministering on earth to His people, only to receive condemnation and He spent 3 hours dying an excruciating and painful death on a cross for every last one of us. With a God like Jesus, why are there so many who refuse to gather, under His wings?
“The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth 2:12
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem … How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings …” Matthew 23:37