“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”

Matthew 23:37
The word picture given here by Jesus is one I have always loved. If you’ve raised chickens yourself or if you grew up on a farm like I did, you’ve seen how a mother hen with a clutch of chicks will gather her little ones under her wings the moment she sees danger come near. That’s what Jesus offers everyone who will accept His protection: He will gather you near.
The Bible is filled with miraculous accounts of God’s protection. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego comes to mind. They were thrown into an intense, hotter-than-hot furnace, and the Lord Himself stood with them so that not even a hair on their heads was singed.
When we face danger, either physically or spiritually, we have One who will protect us. Jesus calmed the storm-tossed waters of the Sea of Galilee, bringing safety to His frightened disciples. He wants us to run to Him as little chicks would run under the wings of their mother. There is no need to stand alone in your times of trouble. Jesus, your protector, gathers you near.



Scripture Focus

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Insight

“Safe am I/ in the hollow of His hands/ …no ill can harm me,/ no foe alarm me,/ for He keeps both day and night.” (Mildred L. Dillon, 1938)

Bible In A Year

  • 1 Samuel 9-10
  • Psalm 124
  • 2 Corinthians 2-3

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