Under His Wings

Yesterday I shared the story of dad (Arne Thomassen) asking the Army chaplain if he had any books he could read. He found “Under His Wings” by O. Hallesby, published by Augsburg Publishing House. “I started reading the book and then put it into my barracks bag.” Dad’s life was saved when the truck he was riding in hit an anti-tank mine.

Dad often related that story, whether in a sermon, in one of his radio talks, or in the devotionals he wrote. He said that the Lord protected him and kept him “under His wings.” This is a reference, not only to the title of a book, but originally from Psalm 91. The picture is that of a mother hen protecting her chicks under her wings. The Lord does that for all who will trust Him and say, as the Psalmist said, “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.’”

Psalm 91

Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!"

3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day;

6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

7 A thousand may fall at your side

And ten thousand at your right hand,

But it shall not approach you.

8 You will only look on with your eyes

And see the recompense of the wicked.

9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

10 No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

12 They will bear you up in their hands,

That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

16 "With a long life I will satisfy him

And let him see My salvation."

Here is the hymn written based on these words. This was a favorite of my dad.

Under His Wings


Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.


Refrain


Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.


Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.


Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,

Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.


Words: William O. Cushing
Music: Ira D. Sankey

Have you learned to trust the Lord and live in the safety He gives? Read Psalm 91 again. Ask God to be your refuge and fortress. Give your life to Him. You can trust Him. Then you will be able to say with the hymn writer:


Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.