"Under His Wings"

“Songs My Father Sang”

Psalm 91:1-4 says “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

This particular psalm has great meaning for our family. God certainly protects and in the following story, you will see the story of God’s protection in our dad’s life. Actually, before he was married, he had several “close calls” with death, but the Lord protected him.

UNDER HIS WINGS

as told by Arne T. Thomassen

“I had asked our chaplain if he had any books that I could read while we were waiting to move out. He said, “Look in my field desk and take what you want.” I took a book by O. Hallesby entitled "Under His Wings". We got orders to move out the next day and so I put the book in my barracks bag. We loaded into a 2 ½ ton truck and started down the road.

While passing another vehicle on a narrow road, we struck an anti-tank mine and the truck we were in blew up. The truck immediately burst into flames. One officer and eight enlisted men were injured. Pfc. Gustav I. Galschodt died on the way to the collecting point. Cpl. Orin P. Semingson died in the hospital. Pfc. Palmer Johnson died a few days later. Pfc. Norwald K, Moksvold, pfc. Edward K. Iverson, and Pfc. Leonard E. Larson were injured and evacuated. Pfc. Karl K. Kjendal and Pfc. Harold E. Abrahamson were slightly injured but remained on duty. Captain Howard M. Winholtz received shrapnel wounds and was evacuated. The guard who was from another company was killed instantly. T/Sgt. AndrewA. Hall, T/5 Arne Thomassen and Pfc. Ivan Hennings, who also were in the truck, helped in the rescue.

What happened to me? Well I got a ruptured ear drum. I told Sgt. Hall that half of my head felt numb. Do you know what he said? "That's normal for you." Real encouraging I'd say. (Sgt. Hall was a great guy).

This happened at a bivouac area one-half miles south of Essay, France. As you can imagine, I never got to finish reading the book "Under His Wings". Many years later, I went to a garage sale in Glenwood, Minnesota. Our neighbors, the Oliver Hoplins, had tables with books on them. As I sorted through the books, what did I find but the book "Under His Wings." I was able to finish reading it and was thankful to God that on that day, August l9,1944, He kept me Under His Wings.”

Dad loved the hymn from which the title of the book was taken, “Under His Wings.” This is based on Psalm 91:4. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

"Under His Wings"

Lyrics: William O. Cushing (1823 – 1902)
Music: Ira D. Sankey (1840 – 1908)

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.