Jesus stood on a hill overlooking Jerusalem; a city filled with people who would reject Him as the Messiah. With great sorrow He said to them, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to you, how often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not! (Matthew 23:37).

To me, relating God’s desire to gather us as a mother chicken wanting to protect her offspring, is a very touching analogy. For the chicks who run to the shelter found under their mother’s wings, it is a place of safety, security and comfort. This place of safety beneath God’s wings, is where the people of Jerusalem needed to run, for in a few short years their city would be reduced to rubble. Likewise today, Jerusalem faces a Gentile invasion (Rev. 11:2) and another captivity (Zechariah 14:2) before the Lord’s return. We also face a coming tribulation and Jesus is calling again to all those who can hear. We need to run to Him like those chicks and be His dependent, treasured offspring.

While the chicks find nurturing comfort beneath the shelter of their mother’s wings, God’s people find comfort and security in the hope He has provided for us in our Messiah Jesus. God delights in His people who have chosen to find their shelter in Him.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend who related to me how she felt when she was napping with her children. With her little son and daughter nestled up against her, she described those moments as “bliss.” God might feel the same way when His little ones are nestled around Him through their faith.

In the Book of Revelation we see New Jerusalem, a city constructed of those who have responded to God’s call and have been gathered to Him as one through Jesus. They are the dwelling place of God. He joyfully resides in their midst delighting in that intimacy with His children, like a mother hen with her brood tucked safely beneath her wings.

The prophet David recognized the significance of being in that special place of intimacy with the Lord. -

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 17:8
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of your wings. Selah. – Psalm 61:4
Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. - Psalm 63:7
How excellent is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings Psalm 36:7
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler – Psalm 91:4

Jesus is calling, longing to bring us to that special place in God. Will you come, or will you remain behind, trusting in man-made walls that will soon be tumbling to the ground around you?

Jesus said,“Come to Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest uto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16,17

Copyright 2018 by H. D. Shively

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