Under His Wings - A Shelter From the Storm
Sunday, November 10, 2002 was a time of great suffering for many across the United States. Storms of unparalleled ferocity swept across the continent. Scores died and were injured. Thousands lost their homes and possessions. Some of the tornadoes were of Category 4 and possibly even 5. It was a horrible night.
Where can we turn when faced with such horrible destruction? What meaning does life hold when we have lost everything? How can we face such an uncertain future? The destruction did not touch me personally, but as I watched people describe their losses, my heart went out to them. I thought of the old hymn “UNDER HIS WINGS” written by William O. Cushing, 1823-1902. The text is as follows:
Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort and there I am blest.
Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.
Refrain:
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Kenneth W. Osbeck in his book “Amazing Grace” writes the following: [The author of this hymn text, William Cushing, wrote these words as an expression of Psalm 17:8--"Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings." After pastoring several large churches, Cushing suddenly was told that he could no longer preach. He had lost the power of speech. Broken in spirit, he cried out to God with the words of the psalmist. God answered by giving him the gift of writing. In all, William Cushing wrote more than 300 gospel hymns, which have had an even wider spiritual influence than his years of successful pastoring. "Under His Wings" first appeared in Ira Sankey's Sacred Songs No. 1, published in 1896. It has continued to be a favorite hymn of comfort among God's people.]
Like Cushing we are often faced with unexpected dangers. We never know when some major catastrophe will interrupt our lives. At the times when we seem to have lost all, we can only turn to the source of life, and the ground of our being. We hang desperately to the Rock of Ages as we await rescue from the terrible storms of life.
In Luke 13:34, we find Jesus contemplating the eternal city as it prepared to arrest and execute him. He is quoted as saying: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
Prayer: God, as we face the storms of life, we look to you for refuge. When the storm overtakes us, we look to you for aid. Give us the courage to face the future as we try to rebuild our lives. We know from Jesus' own words that he wants to cover us with his wings and draw us to himself. May we be willing to be gathered to him. Amen
Copyright © Jay D Weaver - December 23, 2002
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