Ducklings

Psalm 91:4-6 – He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. (ESV)

As I walked around the local lake recently, I noticed that there was a group of new ducklings swimming in the middle. What really caught my attention, however, was the lack of a parent duck nearby — as is the norm. As I progressed around the path, I looked to see if I could find their parents. The ducklings fanned out and one or two peeped out a distress call as they searched. There was not a mother to be seen anywhere nearby.

As someone who has seen a lesser black-backed gull swoop in and eat a chick in about three or four swallows, I was naturally concerned. These little ducklings were obviously unaware of their plight as they remained in the centre of the lake and in plain view of any opportunist.

Eventually, mom had wondered where her ducklings had gone to, and, hearing the peep of a duckling, came in search of them all. As soon as they heard the quack of the mother, they zoomed across the lake as fast as they could. They grouped around her body as she voiced her concern in loud quacks.

I was surprised that this group of nine ducklings had managed to be so vulnerable and yet survived so long without a loss of life.

The nature of the event made me ponder it. I realised how we, as members of the body of Christ, sometimes find ourselves in places of danger, without necessarily perceiving the folly of our actions. We may become isolated from each other and from our Saviour, and then we allow ourselves to become vulnerable to any attacks.

Praise God that He watches out for us, even if we do not recognise it at the time! So when we hear His call, let us be certain we are close to His plan for us today, and if not, move fast to shelter under His wings!

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice that You are merciful and gracious towards all those who live in praise of Your name. We call out to You today: declare Your sovereignty over us, and allow us into Your loving protection, because we ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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