NO SAFER PLACE

Ps 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” KJV
            Often in the Scriptures we are told that the Believer has a refuge, a place of safety to which we may run and find security. As the children of Israel traversed the Wilderness they were covered by a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night (Exo. 13:21-22). This was a visible manifestation of God’s presence which assured them of His divine provision, protection and guidance. Not only so, but this Cloud gave them light by night and shade during the day. When the cloud moved, Israel followed and when it remained in one place, they rested.
            The implication is that should one decide to go their own way and leave that protective covering, the consequences of that decision would fall upon those who made such a decision.
How often do we determine to go our own way because we have grown weary in waiting on the Lord to “move”?  Rather than resting in His shadow, we grow restless and strike out on our own, leaning to our own understanding (Pro. 3:5).
            In Matthew 23:37, Jesus, weeping,  lamented over Jerusalem saying,”… how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” KJV That which Jesus would do, i.e., provide protection as a mother hen protects her chicks under her wings, the inhabitants of Jerusalem “would not” in that they rejected Him as their Messiah. It moved Him to tears to know that due to their own choice, they would suffer greatly.         
            Likewise, we have a choice. We can choose to remain under His care and keeping, or we can venture out from beneath His shadow and go our own way. We are free to choose, to make our own decisions, but we are not free to choose the consequences that result from those decisions, better then, for us to stay under the shadow of the Almighty.
 
            William Cushing wrote the words to the well known hymn, UNDER HIS WINGS, in 1896, while suffering from a creeping paralysis that also prevented him from speaking. Though forced from the ministry, he began to write hymns, many of which were printed by singer/publisher, Ira D. Sankey, who wrote the music to this beloved song. Under His wings is the place to be!