Safe Under His Wings

May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:12 (NIV)

Not only is the book of Ruth an inspiring story of her amazing character, but her life is also an example of how God's love and protection is offered to everyone. The key word in that sentence is offered, not everyone accepts that gift.

Ruth was not a Jew, she was from a pagan land, and worshiped pagan gods. When her Jewish husband died along with her father-in-law and brother-in-law, she was left with a decision. To either start a new life, fresh, and leave her mother-in-law all alone, to travel back to her homeland. Or to leave her family, gods, and all she ever knew and go with her mother-in-law. She bravely left everything for the love and loyalty of her mother-in-law. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16b (NIV)

Throughout the Bible God has been described as a safe haven of the protection with his wings. Psalms 91:4 says, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (NIV) I love to watch the birds in the spring, so active, preparing their nests. How peaceful it is to wake up to their songs. It is amazing what the mother's wings are for her baby birds, protection from all things that would bring them harm. That same protection is offered to us through God. When we believed in Him we were marked with a seal, and everlasting, eternal seal. (Ephesians1: 13) In John 10:28 Jesus uses another animal illustration, the Shepard and his sheep. I give them eternal life and they shall never parish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (NIV)

It can be a scary thing to think about all the evil in this world, seen and unseen. It is such a peace to know we have no reason to fear it. And what a relief to know God's protection is offered to all of us, no matter what our past. What a good decision Ruth made to take refuge under God's wings.

Thank you father for your protection, your everlasting love. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Protect us all today, shield us with your armor, and give us the strength to fight the good fight.

Sarah Hostetler