Under His Wings

For several years now, I've been participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I heard about it from a fellow bird lover, and it's been a highlight of my February ever since. I have bird feeders in front and in back of my house, so I get a lot of opportunity to see several species up close. (In case you want to participate, the Cornell people welcome bird counts at any time but do a dedicated count on Presidents' Day weekend every year.)

This week I have been struck by the numerous references to birds in scripture. Of course, there are the Old Testament stories that involve birds: Noah's use of the raven and the dove, God's supply of quail for food in the desert, Elijah's daily food delivery via raven.

There's also the teaching of Jesus in which he calls attention to birds to make a point about God's care. "Look at the birds of the air," he says. "[T]hey do not sow, . . . neither do they gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26)  And again in Matthew 10: 29-31: "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. . . . "Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows." Comforting words indeed.

What strikes me most, however, are the metaphorical references. Psalm 36:7 says this about God: "[T]he children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings." So often when I see a majestic bird fly overhead, I think of this passage and others like it. Those birds sail on the wind as if they have not a care in the world. They appear so sure, so undisturbed. This is a picture of God's overseeing nature and work in my life. Then in Matthew 23, Jesus says he "would have gathered" the people of Jerusalem "as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings." This image is one of close protection and tenderness. How precious to know that Jesus loves us this much.

I love it that God used something so universal to help us understand him. Birds are everywhere! This time of year, we hear them when we step outside in the morning. They gather in crowds around the feeder and twitter in the bushes, ubiquitous reminders of God's goodness, provision, and love.

--Sherry Poff