This past week we have been looking after our neighbour’s chickens. I say we, but really I mean Amanda with a bit of help from our girls, which is the case when it comes to most sorts of garden-related activity. As I write this Amanda is round there putting them to bed and tucking them up, the chickens, that is, not the girls, who have been asleep for a while. Why are you wittering on about chickens, you ask? One of my daughter’s favourite psalms is Psalm 61. King David has been crying out to God, who has seemed so far away; his heart grows faint as he waits for God to answer. “I long to take refuge in the shelter of your wings,” says David (Psalm 61:4). David pictures God as a mother hen sheltering her chicks from harm, keeping them safe from danger round about.
Our God created all His creatures to teach us about Himself. The humble chicken teaches us something rather wonderful and unexpected: that He is the God who protects and comforts His people. And that means you and me. If, like David, you are facing trouble and difficulty, of whatever sort, and God feels far away and your heart is growing faint in your chest, call out to Him like David. He has already given us refuge from sin and death, a guarantee of life with Him in the future; and He will give you refuge from sorrow and suffering now.
There is nothing better than a mother’s warm hug for fixing all sorts of ills when you are a little girl. But God is more loving, more compassionate, more secure than the best mother. His embrace keeps us safe in the storms of life and no one and nothing can tear us from His arms.