Under the shadow of your wings

How precious, 0 God, is your constant love!     .
We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundant food you provide;
you let us drink from the river of your goodness.
You are the source of all life,
and because of your light we see the light. (verses 7-9)

Read Psalm 36:5-10

When the fire approached, the distraught hen was running for safety with her family of chickens. It was difficult to keep them together. They didn’t seem to sense the imminent anger. At the last moment she gathered her family under her wings, sat in a depression in the ground and put her head under her breast.

The searing heat passed and the fire was gone and the lifeless hen remained. Then, from underneath her wings came the chickens. They had been kept safe under the protective wings of their mother.

Our loving heavenly Father constantly gives you this same precious protection. He also provides you with your daily needs. The psalm writer speaks of how you are able to ‘feast’ on the abundance he provides.

Since we have so much, shouldn’t we share it with those who have little or nothing?

Dear God you protect me from harm and you abundantly provide for me. Thank you for your loving care. Help me to show my thanks in how I love and care for others. Amen.

By Grace Bock, in “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2003)

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