We locked eyes as he stared me down from atop his perch high in the branches above my head. Each time I turned my back to continue walking he fell into a dive just missing my head with his razor sharp talons. My heart was racing and I admit the feeling of fear as I faced off on the empty street with this bird of prey.
Fatherly, yet Ferocious
Whether I was getting to close to it’s nest or he was just in search of a fresh meal I do not know, but finally I escaped and made my way back to the safety of my home. Reflecting on this experience the words of Psalm 121 came to mind.
“The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.”Psalm 121:5-8
Comparing the actions of this mighty predator with the promise of God seems so clear. God allows us to be attacked, but He promises to protect us. We live in a world at war, walking each day amidst the battle of heaven and earth. Though “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” (Eph 6:12).
A Father Who Keeps His Promises
And although it may strike fear in us God assures us that no matter what happens He will be with us to protect us. He is our Father and it is the role of the Father to provide, to lead, to protect. That is the promise He has made and God is a Father who keeps His promises.
Just as the mother hawk will fiercely defend her nest, so will God, our Father, defend us. Trust in Him and that what He says is true. We can say with the psalmist: “You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.” (Ps 63:8).
Challenge: Memorize and use these words from Psalm 121. Pray them before you leave your house each day and trust that God will be faithful to His promise.