Daily Devo

The Shelter of His Wings

By: Jenny Hinners

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 (NLT)

What is your "go-to" when you’re feeling vulnerable, scared, anxious, stressed, weak, or attacked?

I would like to say that every time I'm feeling like that, my "go-to" is spending time in the Lord’s presence. But I must admit, sometimes my initial coping mechanism to feeling shocked and distressed has been to distance myself from those feelings. That might mean getting outside, working out, busying myself with other responsibilities – while simultaneously treating myself to a bottled mocha Frappuccino – then I draw near to the Lord after my feelings have cooled down a little.

While my response could be worse, the Lord has been gently showing me that I have room for growth in this area, in making Him my first coping mechanism. He's been reminding me I need to flee to Him, under His wings. Consider what it means to come under the Lord’s wings:

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may take refuge; – Psalm 91:4 (NASB)

The pinion feathers are the strongest portions of a bird's wing.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. – Psalm 57:1

Being in the shadow of God's wings refers to being in a place of strong protection. The Psalmist is comparing the strength and protection a bird's wing provides to their offspring to the way God covers us with His strength and protection. When we come close to Him, it's an act of trust. When we come close to Him, we are telling Him we trust His protection.

Jesus used the analogy of a bird's wings to describe how He was feeling about Israel in Matthew 23:

Jerusalem... 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

Do you know that baby chicks come under their mother wings to find warmth? It's also been found that chicks raised in an incubator are more fearful than chicks raised under their mother's wings. We can find warmth, safety, and security under God’s "wings" by being in His presence and trusting in His protection – especially when we're troubled, stressed, or anxious.

Do you hear God’s voice? He is beckoning you to draw closer to Him. Remember, our first coping mechanism must be to seek the shelter and protection of His wings!

Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 (NLT)