Back in the spring, just outside of our bathroom window, there was a bird nest on the window sill. My daughter and I watched it from the beginning.
First, there was just an empty nest. There was no sign of the skillful bird who had created it.
Then, we began seeing a bird sitting in the nest periodically throughout the day.
Finally, there were three beautiful tiny blue eggs in the nest. We waited anxiously for baby birds to make an appearance.
I can’t help but think of that little nest of eggs when I read this passage in Psalms.
He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. – Psalm 91:4
I find it fascinating that the psalmist does not say that His strength will protect us. He does not say that we will be protected by His omniscience, omnipresence, or even His holiness.
Our security comes from the faithfulness of God.
In the early morning, I would sit and watch that mama bird laying in her nest. Her eyes were always open and alert. Her head continually looking back and forth. She was faithfully guarding the defenseless.
The Lord also guards the defenseless. So much of the Psalms speak of the Lord as our protector.
The Lord protects you… – Psalm 121:5
In Psalm 121 alone, the Lord is referred to as our protector 5 times. It is mentioned dozens of other times in various psalms.
The Lord is referred to as faithful over 200 times just in the brief search that I have done.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13
Faithfulness is not a promise He makes to us. Faithful is not something that He chooses to be for us. Faithful is who He is and He cannot deny Himself.
That faithfulness is what protects us.
That faithfulness is what causes Him to cover us with His wings until the storm has passed.
That faithfulness is how we can know that He will not leave nor forsake us.
According to Hebrews, we hold tightly to our hope because He is faithful.
God’s faithfulness and His protection are inseparable.
Whatever our current circumstance, or most recent devastation, we can run and seek shelter in His faithfulness.