Like Birds flying …

Bible Reading:  Isaiah 31: 4-9

 

When children are young we are very protective of them.  We pay a lot of attention to what they do, what they eat, and who their friends are.  As they grow up and become independent, we slowly lose control and as they become adults, we can do nothing but watch them and pray!  

 

As I was pondering over this, the Lord brought this verse into my heart:  “Like birds flying about, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem.  Defending, He will also deliver it;

passing over, He will preserve it”  (Isaiah 31:5).  In just one verse, God promises to defend Jerusalem in four distinct ways: He will defend it, deliver it, pass over (protect) it, and preserve it.  

 

It is the Lord who will cover our children wherever they may be, with His wings, defend them, deliver them, and preserve them.  This set my heart at peace.

 

During the time this was written, Jerusalem was under threat from the Assyrian army. Instead of trusting God, the leaders of Judah tried to make a military alliance with Egypt, trusting in their horses and chariots.  In this verse, God compares His defensive care to a mother bird hovering over her nest.  "As birds flying" refers to the way a mother bird flies, hovers, and circles over her nest when a predator approaches. She puts her own life at risk and uses her wings as a shield to protect her defenceless chicks. 

 

The imagery of God protecting His people like a bird is used throughout the Bible. 

 

Deuteronomy 32:11 says, just as an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads out its wings, takes them up, and carrys them on its wings, the LORD alone led the people of Israel. The people of Israel were a group of stiff necked people. Even after enjoying the miracles, they did not trust the Lord fully or obey Him implicitly.  Still the Lord watched over them, led them, and brought them into the land He had promised.  

 

Remember, the Lord we worship is faithful.  Psalm 91:4 says, He will cover us with His feathers, and under His wings we will find refuge.  

 

My friend, some of our loved ones, children, and grandchildren may be believers and some may not be.   But do not worry.  Continue to pray for them, covering them with the blood of Jesus.  Jesus longs to gather them as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.  The Lord Himself will hover over them, protect them and guide them.

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I commit our children, grandchildren, and loved ones into Your precious hands.  Cover them and guide them as You are the Lord of the universe and Lord of all. Amen.

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