The shelter of the wings of God has long been one of my favorite comforting metaphors in Scripture. We even named our current home, purchased in a time of grief and upheaval, “Wingshadow.”

Mother and sometimes father birds of many kinds cover their chicks with their wings for three main reasons: warmth, protection, and bonding.

As warm-blooded animals, birds depend on their feathers for temperature regulation the way that mammals depend on hair and fur. Newly hatched chicks have no feathers and so are especially vulnerable to temperature changes, especially to cold nights. Covering hatchlings with maternal wings comforts them but also keeps them warm. Numerous birds even develop something called a brooding patch for incubation. A patch of abdominal skin loses its feathers and develops a supplemental blood vessel network to maximize body heat at the surface of that skin. While many birds shed those feathers due to hormonal changes associated with incubating eggs, geese and ducks actually pull the feathers out themselves, with their own beaks, and then use the downy fluff to make a warm, soft lining for the nest.

Bird parents also cover their chicks with their wings for protection. Stormy weather and temperature extremes require a shield and a shadow for baby birds. The mother and/or father also spreads its wings over the babies to guard them from predators. Nothing can harm those chicks without going through Mom or Dad.

The warm shelter of the parent’s wings also signifies the loyal parental bond with the young one. The younger and more vulnerable the baby, the more time it spends under the cover of the adult’s wings. Chickens even have unique clucking calls to summon specifically their own young (I’m told). Even more mature juvenile birds take cover under the wings of their mother at night and in times of danger. This continues until they leave the nest to look for mates and start their own families.

When we also need warmth, protection, and the security and comfort of parental love, we can flee to the wings of Papa God and hide ourselves in His feathers. From the English Standard Version, here is a sample of the Bible verses using this imagery:

Ruth 2:12:

[12] 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!”

Psalm 36:7:

[7] How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 57:1:

[1] 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.

Psalm 61:4:

[4] Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Psalm 63:7:

[7] for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalm 91:4:

[4] He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Please do read or listen through those again slowly, and ponder any which seem to have your name on them. You may even wish to memorize one or more if you are in a time of trouble and in need of comfort.

In conclusion, consider these words of the nineteenth-century pastor Charles H. Spurgeon in his devotional Chequebook of Faith:

Let this be our comfort, that almighty love will be swift to succour, and sure to cover. The wing of God is more quick and more tender than the wing of a bird, and we will put our trust under its shadow henceforth and for ever.

The Father of mercies does not shame or turn away the weak, helpless, troubled, and needy. We cannot be too damaged, disabled, rejected, poor, or sinful to receive salvation by grace through trust in Jesus Christ. The God who reveals Himself in the Bible gladly welcomes anyone who flees to His wings for shelter. He is strong and loving enough for our greatest storms.

Let’s pray together from Psalm 17:7-8:

[7] Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

[8] Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Amen. Courage, dear hearts!

Research

For more information on brood patches and birds covering their young, here are some sources I found in working on this piece.

Why do mother birds cover their babies with their wings? - Birdful

Raptor Resource Project: Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey Cams

Brood Patches

pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca

clivesphotos.weebly.com

And a short video clip:

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