Our Feathered Fortress
I heard the squawking from across the room as I was trying to catch my breath. My friends and I were cooling down after a particularly grueling session with our personal trainer when the commotion began.
“My mommy!”
“No! My mommy!
I immediately recognized the second squawk as that of my three-year-old nestling, Jocelynn. Mama birds just know, Friend. I scanned the room and spotted her clutching a woman’s leg and aggressively staring down a little boy, who was just as firmly attached to the woman’s other leg.
Imagine my baby bird’s surprise when she heard me call her name from the other side of the room. Immediately, her body tensed. Very slowly, she turned her head in my direction, and then, even more slowly, she peeked up to see that the face of the person whose leg she was clinging to so tightly was, in fact, not her mommy’s. In an instant, that baby bird darted out from under the shadow of another, flew across the room, and found refuge in my arms.
Whose shadow are you resting in, Friend? Where are you fleeing for refuge? If we are followers of Christ, Psalm 91 tells us what our answer should be. In verses 1-2, we read:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will 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.’
Think of it. The Most High invites His children to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He is our refuge and our fortress. Jehovah, the one true God of all, is our safe place to lodge and our strong defense. There is no safer place, no stronger defense. There is none greater. None.
Oh, Friend, if all this is so (and it most certainly is), then why, oh why do I find myself so often filled with fret and fear and doubt and despair? Even as I type this, a wrestling is going on within me. This bird is frantically flying about, and there is a whole lot of internal squawking going on.
“My problems!”
“My sadness!”
“My worries!”
Conflict in a relationship, my granddaughter’s recent stay in the hospital, and receiving my own unsettling news from the doctor are just a few of the things on my mind. Even exciting, good things—like that little nestling from the story above who graduated high school last month—have me worrying. This bird sees danger all around her.
What’s that you say? Look up the definition of refuge. Ok. Give me a second…
According to Strong’s, the Hebrew word used in Psalm 91:2 for ‘refuge’ conveys the idea of being sheltered, specifically from danger.
What would I do without you, Friend? I can be so bird-brained sometimes, but I see it now! The need for a refuge assumes there is trouble to flee from. The Lord knows this life is dangerous, and, as our dear pastor’s wife reminded me recently, He understands our spiritual frailty as well. In His lovingkindness, He has provided a place for us to flee from harm and find rest, a refuge in Himself. This bird needs to stop all her distressed darting and just land already, doesn’t she?
Where I land is important, though, isn’t it? I must seek shelter in the right shadow. It is the Lord alone who can keep me safe and give me rest. I must not choose to be like the obstinate children of Isaiah 30, those who “look to Egypt’s shade for refuge” (v2). Fleeing for refuge in any shadow other than that of El Shaddai will not offer me the protection or respite I so desperately need. Like Egypt, all other shadows are “worthless and empty” (v7). The only safe place for this bird to land is in the shadow of the Almighty.
Now that I’ve dealt with the landing, I’ve got another issue to handle. The squawking is a major problem. This bird needs to change her tune, doesn’t she?
What’s that you say? I should read Psalm 5:11? Ok. Give me a second…
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
Again, what would I do without you, Friend? I see it now! Gladness should be my melody. Joy should be my song. His name should be my focus. I must trade in my melancholy, me-centered melody, and instead, I must sing life-giving, Lord-centered lyrics like those written by the author of Psalm 91:
“My Refuge!”
“My Fortress!”
“My God, in whom I trust!”
Wouldn’t you know it, Friend, due to technical difficulties during a recent NAOBC United Service, I have not one, not two, but SIX songs printed out, right next to me, to help me get started. Not just any songs, but songs with lyrics rich in sound doctrine, which remind me that God’s grace alone saves, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, the foundation of the Gospel is firm, and the Spirit’s power is at work in me despite my weaknesses, and our God is forever faithful. What wondrous truth this bird has to sing about!
Oh, Friend, why do I doubt? Why do I despair? The Lord God Almighty offers me His presence as my primary residence! Through Christ, I am allowed to nestle up close to Him and rest in His shadow, safe and sound! Praise be to God!
What’s that you say? The thought of nestling up close to the Lord reminds you of Psalm 91:4a. Hold on. Give me a second…
“He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings, you will find refuge…”
There you go again, encouraging me with just the right passage at just the right time and with bird imagery, no less! I feel so loved!
Oh, Friend, I am so thankful that birds of a feather flock together and that the Lord, in His kindness, has given us one another! Our Feathered Fortress sure does love His little birds, doesn’t He? If you’ll excuse me, this bird’s got some singing to do.
What’s that you say? You’d like to join me? Well, come on!
– Michelle Castano
Michelle Castano has been a member of Ninth and O since 2022. Her and her husband, Octavio, are members of IC5 BFG. Together they have two sweet daughters, one kind son-in-law, and the cutest granddaughter ever.
