Protective Plumage

He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. – (Psalm 91:4, HCSB)

You can go to Him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust Him to surround and protect you like a shield. – (Psalm 91:4, ERV)

Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you. – (Psalm 91:4, VOICE)

Feathers provide protection, warmth, and the structure to support flight. The imagery of being covered with God’s feathers is one that feels gentle and strong, supportive and freeing, as protection and warmth are things that make us feel secure enough to spread our wings and take flight. Being surrounded by His wings provides a safe, warm space where we can rest and take refuge in Him. In this season, as the busy and unexpected challenges arise, it is so good to know that we have a safe space where we are covered, protected, and supported so that we can keep moving forward. May we ever seek the Lord to cover us with His wings, as He surrounds us like a shield and teaches us to take flight.

We are protected,

Surrounded, kept warm;

A shield about us,

Through all of life’s storms.

Covered by strong wings,

To rest and delight;

Renewed and strengthened,

So we may take flight.

To soar each season,

We find ourselves in;

And rise in His strength,

Despite where we’ve been.

Lean into His wings,

Both gentle and strong;

Secure and stable,

By grace we belong.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You cover us with Your strong and gentle wings, and You protect and encourage, through all that life brings. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when we lose sight of Your nearness. Teach us to lean into You and to rest in the hollow of Your wings. Show us how to love those around us with similar gentleness, protection and strength. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to cover us with Your wings. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. – Psalm 16:1

Safety and Peace

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – (Psalm 4:8, NIV)

When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, You keep me safe. – (Psalm 4:8, ERV)

Now, because of You, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid. – (Psalm 4:8, TPT)

 

A puppy is such a tangible illustration of how trust and safety lead to peace. For us, though we are learning and bonding and growing together, our sweet Thor, (yellow lab puppy), already sleeps peacefully on our laps, beside us, or in our arms, as he knows he is safe. We, as humans, are slow learners, and far more easily distracted by life’s circumstances, as we allow worries and concerns to disrupt the perfect peace that is available in the safety and security of God’s perfect and unending love. Thankfully, His grace is relentless, as is His patience, and He waits lovingly for us to turn to Him so that we may again find our security in His peace, where fear has no room to grow. May we seek the Lord and His strong shelter, as He is our place of peace where we need not fear.

 

To lie down in peace,

Requires great trust;

Worries set aside,

By grace we adjust.

Adapt to goodness,

That is not deserved;

Be immersed in grace,

Though not understood.

As we receive these,

His peace becomes ours;

We find His sweet rest,

Love that empowers.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that surrounds us and grants us peace and safety and rest. Thank You that You show us what it is to truly trust in tangible ways, through things that make sense to our hearts. Forgive us for allowing the cares of the world to steal our peace that comes from You. Teach us to trust You to be our peace, even in the most trying of storms. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your peace tangible and Your safety something that is possible in whatever season they find themselves in. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our safe shelter; for in You we find true peace. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. – Psalm 25:1

Honor and Protect

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You. – (Psalm 25:21, NIV)

You are good and do what is right. I trust You to protect me. – (Psalm 25:21, ERV)

May honor and strong character keep me safe. Vigilantly I wait for You, hoping, trusting. – (Psalm 25:21, VOICE)

 

One of my husband’s favorite things about his job is that he works with great people. He is especially drawn to the motor officers, as he has had the privilege of working closely with and attending training each summer with them, as he keeps their motorcycles running safely throughout the year. Last evening, we were honored to attend a small retirement dinner for one of the motor officers, whom Mark has worked with the entire time that he has been employed by the city. It was a joy to be in the company of men and their wives who live upright and are of strong character; humbly trusting and hoping in God as they choose to serve their community. In such a position, I imagine it requires intentional trust each day, for protection and direction as they seek to fulfill their duties with integrity and uprightness. In the same way that I pray daily for the safety and protection of my family, I ought to also remember those who serve our city, state and our nation. May integrity and uprightness protect us all as we place our hope in the Lord, who is worthy of all of our trust.

 

Lord, help me to seek,

A heart after Yours;

Strong in character,

That in trust, endures.

May I walk upright,

In all that I do;

Let each word and deed,

Clearly reflect You.

Protect me, O God,

In all of my ways;

So Your light is shown,

Today and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace, and for the protection You provide for those who faithfully pursue Your ways. Thank You for those who willingly place their lives on the line to keep us safe, daily. Watch over and provide for their families too, as there is sacrifice in the space of uncertainty. Forgive us for taking such servants for granted, as so many seek You to lead and guide them in what they do. Teach us to remember in prayer, all who serve, and to pursue You to live with integrity and uprightness every single day. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage goodness, honor and strong character to rise up and be rooted securely in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we trust our lives into Your hands and seek You to live in such a way that You are honored well. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may rejoice in You. – Psalm 5:11

Protection and Peace

But whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. – (Proverbs 1:33, NIV) 

But those who listen to Me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear. – (Proverbs 1:33, ERV) 

But those who listen to Me now will live under divine protection; they can rest knowing they are out of harm’s way. – (Proverbs 1:33, VOICE) 

 

God calls us to be in constant communion with Him. As we pray and seek the Lord for direction in all things – great and small, He answers and guides us in the ways that we are meant to go. When we listen, He keeps us safe and we need not fear. Years ago, when I was flying home from Hong Kong, one of the engines on our plane caught fire. The flames were visible to passengers through the windows, and many on our aircraft were terrified. I had just spent six months traveling all over Asia, serving in schools, churches and communities in response to His leading, and I had to believe that He was not finished with me yet. Silently, I prayed for peace and protection, and somehow, by His divine grace, was not afraid. Our plane emergency landed safely and smoothly in Taiwan, and my biggest concern was continuing my journey home. After several hours of waiting, I was able to catch another flight for the remainder of my trip. He was faithful to keep me safe, and I listened as He led me securely home. Though I am not forever fearless when I find myself in potentially harrowing situations, I am frequently reminded of His faithfulness in countless scenarios prior, and discover that if I slow down and listen, God quiets my heart and brings me His peace. May we ever seek the Lord and His leading, for He is the One to lead us and guide us and keep us safe. 

 

The God of all peace,

Is forever near; 

Ready to lead us, 

He’s faithful to hear. 

The more we know Him, 

Trust is realized; 

Loving and gracious, 

God will be our guide. 

Let us ever seek, 

We will surely find; 

The Lord’s protection, 

All fear set aside. 

For there is no room, 

For fear in our heart; 

When we pursue God, 

His peace He’ll impart. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to provide Your peace and protection as we seek You and listen to You. Forgive us for the times that we allow our circumstances to lead us, rather than our trust in You. Teach us to trust You more, as we recall Your previous provision that kept us safe in Your goodness and grace. Show us how to love those around us in a way that offers peace and assurance in spaces of fear. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all things and at all times, knowing that You are faithful to protect us and keep us safe. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6