I don’t know about you, but I have a fascination with wings in Scripture, in art, in books, songs, and poetry. It is hard for us to visualize God at all, at least is is for me. In art, angels have frequently been portrayed as creatures with wings; but not God. It was hard for me to imagine God with feathers. So it interests me to read about God’s wings.
Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.
Wings are used to describe cherubim and seraphim in the Psalms, and frequently used by David, Solomon, Isaiah and the other prophets to describe a means of protection and escape.
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.
Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.
If you enjoy subject studies like I do, go to https://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a search for wings. The results will amaze you. Here are just a few Bible verses:
Psalm 36:7 – How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 55:6 – I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Psalm 57:1 – Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.
Psalm 61:4 – Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 63:7 – For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
Isaiah 40:31 – but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Luke 3:22 – and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
There is much more to be investigated, but I hope you enjoyed this little bit.
Sandra