In the Shadow of His Wings
Next to Carol Burnett, I don’t know of a funnier comedienne than Gracie Allen. Allen was married to cigar-chomping George Burns, who served as the straight man in their act.
Gracie would say something such as, “Oh George, isn’t it good we have that new animal shelter in town?” George would respond, “What makes you say that, Gracie?” She’d hit back with the punchline: “Well, the weatherman said it’s going to rain cats and dogs today and I’m just glad we have somewhere to put them.”
Behind the ditzy persona, however, was a rock-solid wit. Much of the humor in their routines was Gracie’s clever wordplay and delightful (intentional) misunderstanding.
In Psalm 63:7, David praises God:
“Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.”
I imagine Gracie Allen saying, “George, I didn’t know that God has feathers!”
If we are woodenly literal about poetry, we read about being “in the shadow of [God’s] wings” and wonder if God looks like a bird or an angel. That’s not a question that David is trying to answer. Instead, he wants us to imagine who rests under someone else’s wings. It’s a baby bird. Mother eagles are famously protective of their young, sheltering them from any predators.
That is the way that God protects you. You aren’t abandoned to the ever-changing whims of the world. You are not alone in the universe. You are loved and protected by your Heavenly Father who loves you and knows you better than you know yourself.
Remember what Jesus says about birds: “They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24, NIV)
Although most of our readers read the “Daily Word” in the morning, I’d like to close with one of the Collects for Compline because it reflects well the idea of resting in God’s power and love.
A Collect for the End of the Day
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
