14 Days to Peaceনমুনা

Though “corona” means “crown,” the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has drawn many people to the true King of Kings. There is, ultimately, only one safe place—in the shadow of His wings. 

Psalm 91 is one of the most powerful scriptures to pray during times of disease and uncertainty. It’s full of God’s promises to protect His people. And, in the opening verses, we’re given a beautiful image: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge….” 

Though some commentators see here the image of an eagle hovering its wings over its young, there is a much greater promise in the image. 

The psalmist evokes the image of the tabernacle in the opening reference to the “shelter of the Most High.” By the time of Solomon, a tradition had emerged that an accused person could find asylum in the tabernacle (a story in 1 Kings 2 depicts Joab clinging to “the horns of the altar.”) 

Solomon would build a glorious temple, but through the time of David, the priests ministered at a mobile tent called the tabernacle. The tent was surrounded by a fence that enclosed an outer court containing an altar and a laver, an inner court called “the holy place,” and an inmost chamber called the “holy of holies.” 

Inside the holy of holies rested the famous ark of the covenant that contained a portion of manna, the tablets of the law, and Aaron’s rod that had miraculously bloomed. In accord with the clear instructions of Exodus 25, the ark of the covenant was covered with a “mercy seat” of pure gold. Seated on the golden lid to the ark were two golden cherubim: “The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another” (Exodus 25:20). 

It was there, on that “mercy seat” under the shadow of the wings of the golden cherubim that, once a year, on the day of atonement, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of an innocent ram on behalf of the sins of the people. And there, on the blood-soaked mercy seat, God made Himself manifest. 

To be under the shadow of His wings means to be figuratively under the blood of the Lamb at the mercy seat of God. You’re safe in God because of the gift of Jesus Christ. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection:

1) How are you experiencing uncertainty right now? Reflect and journal. 

2) Can you think of a time when you knew you were under the shadow of His wings? What feeling does that evoke?

3) Being under the blood of the Lamb at the mercy seat of God ensures our future safety and security. How does it impact the way you live now? How can you view your present uncertainty in light of eternity?