Provisions: Part 4 Security

It is amazing the instinctive qualities that wildlife has in protecting their young. From the largest critters to the smallest all have different techniques in securing their young from predators and other threats. Some animals come charging in to defend their offspring, like the elephant and even our beloved whitetail. However, some like our wild turkey uses some different safety measures in taking care of its little ones. This week we will be looking into some of these techniques and compare them to the way God takes care of and provides security for us.

Luke 13:34 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Provision of Security

I. The Mamma Hen
Little turkey poults are sought after by many predators. Pretty much every ground predator is after them including many predators from the air. Also the little guys have to survive the elements that Mother Nature throws at them. This
creates a hard way of life for the baby wild turkey. However, the mamma hen is very resilient. She uses everything thing in her arsenal to protect her young, even if it means she has to give her life.

A. Running for Cover and Watching Mamma
We spoke earlier in this series about the importance of schooling in a young turkey’s life. Well here is one of those cases where it is vital. Anytime a hen has her babies out in the field and a hawk flies over or a coyote in seen across the way, the mamma hen makes a call for her poults to run and duck for cover. They then look up toward their mother and listen for her next set of instructions. This is where learning the language and obeying their mother must be done if the poults are going to survive.

B. The Sacrifice of Self
After the danger call is made, but the predator gets to close to her babies, the mamma hen will do her broke wing dance away from her poults. This little charade is intended to lure the predator toward her and away from the precious poults. Typically after a predator gets through chasing after a healthy determined mamma hen it usually looses interest and moves on. However, when she does this it greatly increases her chances of being caught and killed.

Also the protection from the mamma hen’s wings is totally amazing. I have seen many pictures of a pile of poults underneath mamma’s wings during a down poor of rain or in some freak blizzard. However, one of the most unbelievable sights that I have even seen in the wildlife world was in a pasture near my home. I got a call from one of my neighbors who had just burned off his pasture. He said, “I killed one of your turkeys in my fire.” He wanted me to ride out there so I did and there she was, a roosted hen sitting on her nest still smoking. I then removed hen off of her nest and to my surprise there were 12 healthy little poults chirping away. What a great provision of protection!

II. The Master Helper
Our Lord knows that His children are sought after by the spiritual predator, Satan. The Devil wants to grind all of us up as wheat if he had his way, but thanks to the protecting hand of our Lord there is help during these terrifying times.

A. Running to Christ and Watching the Master
As humans our biggest problem is thinking we can handle “It” on our own. The fact is we can’t! We are not strong enough or smart enough to defeat Satan on any level when we go into battle alone. However, when we run to Jesus for help He will always be there with His strength to run off any predator that we face. Also if we will just keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears open to Him, He will guide us away from trouble in the first place.

B. The Sacrifice of the Savior
The sacrifice of God’s Son on the cross is the greatest provision of protection that He has ever given for us. This act was protection from everlasting death to those who believe in Him. There is a great eternal fire that will consume those forever who don’t make Christ their personal Lord and Savior. I try to thank my Lord daily for this great sacrifice that He made personally for me. Knowing also that this security is forever and something I cannot loose is worth shouting over.

There are many other protecting attributes and symbolism in the way the Lord provides us with security. Just think how He has personally protected you in your life. His arms and hands are an awesome thing, similar to the wings of a mamma hen. It is my prayer that you will always seek the true comfort and protection that can only come from the arms and hands of our heavenly Father.

This little song kind of sums it all up:

Under His Wings

1. Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Tho 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.

2. 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.

3. Under His wings, O 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.

Chorus:
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.


God Bless and Happy Hunting

Posted by Mark Newell


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