One of our hens, Lark, recently hatched 6 adorable chicks. None of our hens over the years have had much success with hatching eggs because most are easily distracted and move from one nest of eggs to another. But Lark picked a nest in the back corner of one of our buildings a stayed there for weeks. Her persistence paid off! Now Lark is extremely protective of her chicks, pecking anyone who gets too close and defending her chicks from all ostensible dangers with her feathers puffed out to look twice her size.
Everyone knows how vicious mother bears can be in defense of their cubs, and my poor dog learned a long time ago how frightening a mother cat's claws can be when she is defending her brood from potential intruders. The defensive-mother instinct is one of the most powerful instincts of nature.
God cares about us even more than Lark cares about her chicks. In fact, he loves us more strongly than even human mothers love their own children. Isaiah 49:15 says, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." He is our defense and our help when we are in trouble. The Bible says, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."
In the book of Matthew, Jesus cried, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" The Lord is looking for someone who will trust and believe Him. Jerusalem of old times rejected and crucified their Savior. Do not reject His love. "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward Him." We make mistakes, but no matter what our problems may be, God is greater; He doesn't make mistakes. Claim His promises, walk in His ways, and trust in His guidance and protection.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." --Psalm 91:1&4
