and under His wings you will find refuge; Psalm 91:4
How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light. Psalm 36:7-9
Under His Wings
The idea of taking someone “under your wing” is a common phrase we use today. When a person is by himself, learning something new, or needing guidance, an older or more experienced person might offer to take him “under his wing.” In Scripture, under His wings or in the shadow of His wings serves as a metaphor for the refuge found in God’s presence; the believer's safe haven where he's led, taught, and safeguarded by the Lord.
According to Psalm 36:7-9, the one who has found refuge in the shadow of God's wings is also the one who feasts on the abundance of His house and drinks from the river of His delights. The Lord is the fountain of life to all who take refuge in Him because of His precious steadfast love. It’s in His light that we do see light; as believers, we recognize Jesus for who He truly is: God in human flesh and our Lord and Savior.
Only the Believer
The one who takes refuge in God is the one who is blessed (Psalm 34:8). This describes the believer. By grace through faith in Jesus, the believer's sins have been totally forgiven through Jesus' redeeming sacrifice on the cross. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity (Psalm 32:1-2). Only the believer is able to see the light of the Gospel, take refuge in Jesus, and feast on the abundance of His house. Only the believer in Jesus can declare of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2).
The psalmist goes on to say: “Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday (Psalm 91:3–4). Only the believer can have a thousand fall at his side, ten thousand at his right hand, and it not come near him...because he has made the LORD his dwelling place, the Most High, who is his refuge (Psalm 91:7-9)
Only the believer will forever dwell under His wings. Only the believer will escape death and the snare of the devil (Heb 2:14; 2 Tim 2:24), and by the blood of Jesus, only the believer is given access to enter the holy places (Heb 10:19–22). Because of Jesus' perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection, the believer can now confidently approach God's throne of grace (Heb 4:16) at any time. Jesus Christ shed His blood for us on the cross, which opened a whole new and living way (Heb 10:20). All we have to do is believe in Him, by His grace.
Since the time of people wandering in the wilderness, God's people have always sought refuge under His wings. Whenever the Israelites needed the Lord's help, they prayed, “Hide me under the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8). Now, as believers we can pray to the Lord and seek refuge in Jesus. We can know that Jesus will always help us, especially when we ask Him for help.
Have No Fear
By grace through faith in Jesus, He has taken you under His wings. Jesus will give you wisdom, guide you, and protect you. As the believer, Jesus is always with you, right beside you, above you, and He lives inside you. Jesus’ presence and loving care will never leave you. You will forever dwell under His wings in the secure place of His precious, steadfast love.
So, to the believer: 365 times, the Lord says to have no fear. Jesus has taken you under His wings, and He'll never let you go (John 10:28).
All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28
Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms.
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