Shelter during the Storm

         Our cat likes to feel secure so when it sits in the window and sees a stranger coming up the walk, she immediately goes into the bedroom and slides in it under the covers and will not come out until the stranger has left the house.  The cat doesn't know, of course, that there is a lump under the covers that looks like there is a five pound bag of potatoes in the middle of the bed.  There are some times when a person just likes to be "under the covers."  When you get sick and have a fever, there is nothing like a good quilt to crawl under and to find protection.  The same thing is true when it is cold outside and the winds are howling.  You can find peace and safety under a covering of some sort.  I used to go under the covers in any type of storm that had thunder and lightning.  Even when you are caught outside in a rain storm, you soon find it comforting to find a place of shelter where you can be covered from the storm.  The same thing is true in the spiritual life.  We know the truth that God's grace is sufficient for all of our problems and we know about the shield of faith behind which we can find safety from the darts of the enemy.  But, there are still times when it is good just to rest under the protection of the Lord.   Psalm 91:4 says, "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."  
      The illustration here is that of a mother hen who covers her chicks under her wings in the midst of a fierce storm.  Life is like that.  It is filled with storms and they come upon us when we are least expecting them.  It is during those times that the protection of God is most needed.  While God doesn't have feathers, the analogy here is that His protection is the same as that which is provided by the mother hen.  He indeed can and does cover us with a protection and comfort that passes all understanding.  It is a time when you don't need to keep asking for help because it is already there.  God has provided it.  When tragedy strikes your life you can always count on the covering of God to keep you from harm and to be able to get you through the difficulties of life.  He takes care of you during times of grief, sickness, want, perplexities, strife and suffering.  It is His "umbrella of protection" that He provides us for just such times as these.  We need not seek to provide our own protection by our own means.  God's covering is sufficient to meet the need.  What sometimes happens is that we seek to provide our own covering instead of relying upon Him.  Our own coverings are like a newspaper in a rain storm.  It may keep a few hairs dry but it doesn't do the job of keeping us from getting wet. So, rest in God's protection today when the storms of life come upon you.  You will find that it is just like a mother hen with her wings outstretched, gathering in her chicks.  Praise God today for His continual shelter through all of the storms of life.