Under The Wing

One winter a few years ago, I did a study of the Psalms. Each morning in the dark, I filled my journal with words and ideas, and drew and painted them in glittery paint. Truth filled my journal, my mind, and my heart day after day for months. I reflected on the idea of “Selah”. It means to pause and praise, worship, think deeply, and rest. It is mentioned 71 times in the Psalms. Psalm 4 says that safety and relief are available, prayers are heard, and light, calm, and gladness are possible to those that are faithful. Psalm 17:8 says to “hide in the shadow of his wings". I painted this idea of a wing, and imagined remaining under it for many many months. I felt peace and healing. My mind and my heart were renewed. My trust and my faith increased. I let go of many things, and looked forward to the future. I started to bloom and grow, and to rest and rely on this idea.

Over time, Psalm 91 became my go to prayer. I prayed it for months. Daily. Out loud. Sometimes in song. As I continued studying the Psalms, I kept circling back to it. I stayed with it and it stayed with me. It became a season of Psalm 91. I prayed it for myself, my house, my family, my friends, my church, my city, and my nation. I found great comfort in the ideas of shelter and protection. I loved the images of His shadow, His shield, and His hiding place. I took comfort in His strength and His confidence and began to feel safe and secure.

I found the idea in Psalm 91:11 especially amazing. “He commands His angels concerning you, to guard you wherever you may go, to be with you and lift you in their hands.…” I found feathers constantly. Sometimes just one. Once, hundreds and hundreds of them flew through the air right at me. Once, they appeared on water all around me. It was a magical season, one like no other, and it always reminds me that it is possible to return to this place of protection any time I choose to do so.

I am convinced that Psalm 91 changes things. Reading it. Listening to it. Drawing it. Painting it. Saying it. Singing it. Selah-ing it. It brings good things. I've had other verses that I've loved for seasons over the years, but for that season, this particular Psalm, carried me, covered me, and cleared me.

And now! It’s funny… I find myself encouraging others to say Psalm 91! It's always surprising and sometimes it catches me off guard to hear it come out of my mouth when I know that the person I’m talking to needs protection. When it happens, in my mind I'm thinking, oh here it comes... and then suddenly… it just bursts forth... I say "Psalm 91!" And then I go on to describe the feeling of being under the wing, how amazing it is, how huge it is, and how it helped me. When this happens, it's as if living water flows through me, taking that season and turning it for good to help others.

So I say to you… “Psalm 91!” Read it. Listen to it. Draw it. Paint it. Say it. Sing it. Selah it. It will bring good things! My favorite version in song… "Psalm 91" by the Sons of Korah. My favorite version written…

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” For He will save you from the trap of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, And under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. You will not be afraid of the terror of night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but danger will not come near you. You will only look on with your eyes and witness the repayment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will command His angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra; The young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he set His love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him on high, because he knows My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him And I will let him see My salvation.”

Under The Wing

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