When vacationing at Muskoka Bible Conference Center during the summer months, afternoons find our family down by the lake. We always head to the exact same location daily to set up our chairs. Although the beach is pretty open, we bypass it for a grassy area with a grove of trees. This area is closer to the marina, but the shelter of those trees provide shade from the blazing sun. I'm definitely more a shade than sun girl.
The wording of Hosea 14:7 caught my attention. "My people will again live under My shade." Living under the shade of God. Other translations use the words shadow or protection. There is no better shelter than the shade of the Lord.
An observation I have made about shade while resting in my lawn chair by the water is that closer is best. The nearer we are to the object providing the shade the more sheltered we will be. If I leave the covering of the branches and leaves, I am fully exposed to the heat of the day. The same is true with God.
Think of rainy days. An umbrella only allows us to stay dry while we remain under its circumference. When we are protected by its perimeter, we do not get wet. Likewise with the Lord. If we make choices that take us out from under God's care, we become defenseless and vulnerable to unknown elements.
Another analogy that is often used throughout scripture that depicts the same provision is being covered with His feathers and finding refuge under His wings (Psalm 91:4). How easy it is for our mind's eye to see a mother bird with her babies close, completely covered and surrounded by her love and care. The Hebrew word that describes this type of shelter means "secret place" or "hiding place", and although we have the invitation and promise of this hidden shade, it does not mean we will never encounter hardship, but that God is still preventing and protecting as we face the different difficulties that touch our lives.
Unlike the tree or umbrella that shield us temporarily, God desires that His children live, or reside in His shade continually. He is to be our dwelling place. We are called to remain with Him as He abides in us and we abide in Him.
May this precious old hymn be your prayer as you live and rest under God's shade today.
Under His wings I am safely abiding; Under His wings what a refuge in sorrow!
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me; Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child. There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Under His wings - oh, what precious enjoyment! Under His wings, under His wings,
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er; Who from His love can sever?
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me; Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore. Safely abide forever.
Hymn: Under His Wings; Lyrics - William Orcutt Cushing; Music - Ira David Sankey; copyright 1896
No comments:
Post a Comment