In the past, whenever there has been something that I've wanted to avoid, say... loss, grief, hurt, wounds, something I don't want to do, fear, worry; my tendency is to crawl in my turtle shell. That's the way I've always described my way of escape. My shell is hard and gives me protection and I don't have to come out unless I want to and nobody can bother me unless I let them! It's become my refuge, but I've found it to be lonely.
But this week, God gave me a new picture. It comes from Psalms 91: 4, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." I find this kind of refuge much more comforting, but still strong enough to sheild me from the "enemy." In verse 1 of the same chapter it tells me I can REST in the shadow of the Almighty. Verse 2 says, "He is my REFUGE and my FORTRESS, my God in whom I TRUST." Verse 3 says, "Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence....his FAITHFULNESS will be your shield and rampart."
Wow! I just love the picture of myself under his wings, secure and protected by my Heavenly Father "because he loves me!" (vs.14)
