Pastor’s Corner: “Covered by His Wings”

Psalm 91:4 (NLT) – He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 

When I was sixteen years old and received my driver’s license, I was a cautious and thoughtful driver for the first six months. After that period of time I determined that I was a professional driver and that I knew better than everyone else. I would regularly pass others on the road that I assessed were driving too slowly or too cautiously because of my superior reflexes and natural ability. This worked for me (so I thought) for about 3 months.  

On the first day of summer that year it was an unusually beautiful sunny day for Seattle.  My friend and I were planning a trip with some friends to Mount Rainier and we were running down the road to the gas station to fill up before we left. With the excitement of the coming day my adrenaline was pumping. We headed back to our homes to get ready to leave and in my sixteen year old wisdom I decided to show my friend how good of a driver I was and race him home. Using my expert skills, I started passing the slow cars in front of me until I came upon a small truck in which I overlooked the turn signal that was blinking. He did not see me coming and before I could pass him fully, he hit the back part of my car pushing me into the soft shoulder causing my car to roll over. My great wisdom also led me to not wear a seat belt.  

As the car was rolling over and everything was moving in what seemed like slow motion, I pictured in my mind’s eye that I was hanging outside of my driver’s side window which was open and the car rolling over me. When I the dust settled, I was lying outside of my car with some minor abrasions on my back. All I can say is that I should not be here today, but God intervened. The opening scripture has special and personal meaning to me. They are not just words, but I have experienced them first hand. And every so often, I think about this memory to remind myself that God saved me because He has a purpose for me on earth. He covered me and protected me even before I knew Him or was even aware of His protection. 

“To take someone under our wing” means to take care of someone in such a way that you pay close attention to them, teach them, pull them in close. It denotes a transfer of wisdom and protection. Like a devoted parent to a child. How amazing is it that God looks after us in this way during seasons of our lives where we need protecting and nurturing. 

When we think of protection, we don’t automatically think of a bird’s feathers. Though a bird’s feathers might seem like a flimsy form of protection, there is more to them than meets the eye. 

Bird feathers are an amazing example of God’s design. Feathers have a smooth part and a fluffy part. The smooth part of the feather has stiff barbs with tiny hooks that lock together like the prongs of a zipper. The fluffy part keeps a bird warm. Together both parts of the feather protect the bird from wind and rain. But many baby birds are covered in a fluffy down and their feathers haven’t fully developed. So a mother bird has to cover them in the nest with her own feathers to protect them from wind and rain. 

The image of God “[covering] us with his feathers” in Psalm 91:4 and in other Bible passages (see Psalm 17:8) is one of comfort and protection. God’s comforting presence provides safety and protection from life’s physical and emotional storms. Though we go through trouble and heartache, we can face them without fear as long as our faces are turned toward God. He is our refuge and we can trust in His promises for our lives! 

In His Grace, 

Pastor Hamilton