Week 11. March 15. Seek protection under His wings.

Week 11, we have finished Judges and Ruth.

This week there were several stories of gruesome deaths:  from cutting off big toes and thumbs (chapter 1), from a sword being driven through the belly(Chapter 3)… from having a tent peg driven through the head (Chapter 4) beheadings (Chapter7)…dismembering (Chapter 19)

It sounds a little bit like some of the unrest in our world today, doesn't it? Scary, appalling, disgusting, terrifying.  Judges chapter 2 was a sad commentary: The people had forgotten the Lord of their ancestors and did evil in His sight.  God never forgot His covenant with them, but He could not help them when they turned their backs on Him.   So, today, we must still be diligent to remember and honor the God of our ancestors and continue to obey him if we desire to know Him and enjoy His blessing. 

The story of the virgin daughter being sacrificed as a burnt offering in Chapter 11 was sad…and the story of the women being treated like property in Chapter 21 was shocking… strange customs from an ancient time. 

The story of Gideon was interesting…a story of triumph in the face of overwhelming odds.

The story of Samson was also interesting…He had so much potential and physical strength and yet he was such a shallow man who just didn't seem to have self-control when there was a beautiful woman around. 

Ruth was certainly the bright spot in this week’s readings.  I loved the verse in Ruth 2: 12: “May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 

It reminds me of another familiar verse: Psalm 91:4: “He will cover you with his feathers; under his wings you will find refuge.”   

This is a beautiful image of protection and rest under a bird’s wings for their vulnerable little baby birds. 

We are in the midst of the Lenten Season.   We search our souls and seek the Lord in a special way during this time of year as we prepare for Easter.  So, even today, we continue to seek shelter under God’s wings.  And He always welcomes us with open arms to give us rest under his “wings” of blessing and protection.   That is the best place to be.