Part 2 of Chickens are Good for My Soul!

In my last post, I shared how my David and Haleigh have a small, beautiful mountain homestead with several farm animals. I stated that they live with chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats, but my favorites are their chickens. I am drawn to domestic fowl because they remind me of two spiritual principles. In the last post, we examined the first point - I often reject Christ, but He always reaches for me. He restores me when I allow Him. For the full story, read here.

Pic from Canva

The second reason I'm drawn to chickens is how a mother hen protects her young. God created the momma hen to hide her babies under her wings when danger threatens. She would even lay down her life for her young.

Pic from Canva

It is a reminder of how Jesus gave his life for our protection. He is our protector and shield. Jesus tells this truth and uses it as He states of Israel's refusal to come to Him. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37  

We see the same picture in Psalm 91. This entire Psalm gives a picturous description of God's rescue and shelter. David Platt says it this way, "The whole Psalm is a picture of God being a refuge and a fortress, being a rescuer and a deliverer, a satisfier and a Savior for all who trust in him in . . . God is a refuge, and a fortress, and a rescuer, and a deliverer, and a Savior who gives life."

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,  my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions,  and under his wings, you will find refuge;  his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night,  nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,  nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—  the Most High, who is my refuge, no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder;  the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;  I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him  and show him my salvation.”

Be reminded today, dear sister, that our Lord longs to be our refuge and strength. "Refuge - a shelter from the storms of life. This shelter is like the bunker used to protect from natural disasters or an enemy's attacks. In the figurative sense, when we claim the Lord as our “refuge,” we are also declaring that He is our place of hope. The Lord is also our fortress. In Hebrew, the word used for “fortress” refers to a castle or stronghold, a place of defense and protection against large-scale attack." (1)

Friend, whatever you might be going through right now, you can declare that the Lord is your refuge and your fortress. He is your strength. You can run to Him and be under the protection of His wings.

1. Prince, Joseph. All Pastors Devotional, February 2, 2023.