Finding Refuge in God’s Shadow
When Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves were stuck in the trees at the Misty Mountains facing certain death—either by goblins and wargs, fire, or plummeting hundreds of feet below—they were unexpectedly rescued by the magnificent eagles. Facing their end, suddenly, “Back swept the great birds…and down they came like huge black shadows. The wolves yammered… the goblins… flung their heavy spears in the air in vain. Over them swooped the eagles; the dark rush of their beating wings smote them to the floor or drove them far away... Other birds flew to the tree-tops and seized the dwarves,” (The Hobbit, p. 131). A safe refuge arrived under those “huge black shadows.” Held tightly in their talons, in the shadows of the wings of eagles, the dwarf party was safe.
Perhaps when Tolkien wrote this scene in The Hobbit he was imagining in his mind’s eye scriptural references to wings. Or maybe not. But I find it to be a helpful picture of God’s promise that we are safe in the shadow of His wings.
Scripture mentions God’s wings and some form of His shadow as a place of safety and rest eleven times, mostly in Psalms (Rth. 2:12; Ps. 17:8, 36:7, 51:16, 57:1, 61:4, 63:7, 91:1, 4; Isa. 49:2; Hos. 14:7). It seems that this imagery was particularly close to David’s heart. Allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we discover that perhaps this idea of hiding in God’s shadow was passed down through David’s family.
The first use is in Ruth 2:12. When Boaz and Ruth met each other, she asked him why she—a widowed foreigner— had favor in his eyes. Boaz responded that he knew all Ruth did for Naomi; how Ruth was kind, loyal, and chose to leave everything she knew to help her mother-in-law. Boaz exclaimed, “The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Ruth had nothing but the responsibility to care for herself and Naomi. Yet here was a man of influence and wealth treating her with abundant kindness. Boaz’s description of Israel as a place of refuge under the shadow of God’s wings surely filled her with hope.
And who are Ruth and Boaz to David? His great grandparents (Matthew 1:5-6). There’s a consistent command in Scripture to “teach these things to your children and your children’s children” (Dt. 11:19). And in light of how common the phrase is in David’s writings, it seems reasonable to think the truth of seeking shelter and refuge in the shadow of God’s wings was common speak in his family.
David’s soul must have found great courage in the imagery, as he penned it in the darkest times of his life. Psalm 57:1—written as David fled for his life—says, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”
In other psalms, we see David also sings for joy in the shadow of God’s wings (Psalm 63:7). And in Psalm 91:1, the psalmist writes that we can abide in the shadow of God’s wings. By abiding in God, we remain or continue in him. We can tarry there as we endure the hardships of life. No wonder David sings for joy in the shelter of God’s wings, knowing he can stay forever.
How About Us?
What does it look like for your soul to take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings?
How things might have been different for me emotionally and mentally if I’d understood God’s welcome to rest safely in the shadow of his wings. In our infertility journey, my soul grew so weary. I could’ve laid all the pain down at the cross and nestled under God’s wings even as the storm of infertility battered on for years.
We can sit, rest, and even feast in his shadow in the midst of danger and trial. In that quiet place, we will receive the confidence to face the storms haunting us. One of my favorite examples of this is in Psalm 23, which tells us even in the “valley of the shadow of death” we can “fear no evil” for he is with us. And after that, David writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;” (Psalm 23:4-5). David is confident he can eat a divinely prepared feast while his enemies watch on. Feasting in the midst of danger or trial isn’t something I think to do, but God says we can.
When you’re weary, afraid, or tired of waiting, think of Psalm 57:1 and Psalm 36:7. Surely if someone fleeing for his life could rest and sing for joy amidst trials, so can we. And think about Ruth, who suffered the loss of her husband and left everything familiar to her, to live with God’s people, trusting in his protection and provision.
God is the Safest Shadow
I’ve suffered trauma and loss with infertility, and I know you have, too. The only comfort that provides lasting relief is God’s shelter. That can look differently at different times. Maybe it’s calling a trusted friend or spouse that can grieve with you. Maybe it’s immersing yourself in Scripture and meditating on God’s promises. Maybe it’s getting outside in nature, marveling at creation. Whatever it is, remember once more, “In the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by.”
There may still be wreckage after the storm, but when we take refuge in God, we receive rest, nourishment, and even the confidence to enjoy a divine feast.
Bio: Kelly Ottaway is a contributor for WiH and enjoys ministering to others dealing with infertility, loss, and waiting. Kelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor and lives in Ontario with her husband and their two children who were adopted as embryos. Kelly enjoys writing, especially about infertility, mental health, theology, and gardening.
@kel.ottaway
