Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our Reading titled Under God's Wings was written by Monica LaRose.

There are several Canada goose families with baby geese at the pond near our apartment complex. The little

goslings are so fluffy and cute. It's hard not to watch them when I go for a walk or run around

the pond. But I've learned to avoid eye contact and give the geese a wide berth. Otherwise, I risk a

protective goose parent suspecting a threat and hissing and chasing me.

The image of a bird protecting her young is one that scripture uses to describe God's tender

protective love for his children. In Psalm 61, David seems to be struggling to experience God's

care in this way. He'd experienced God as his refuge, a strong

tower, but now he called desperately from the ends of the earth, pleading, lead me to the rock

that is higher than I. He longed to once more take refuge in the shelter of God's wings.

And in bringing his pain and longing for healing to God, David took comfort in knowing that he'd heard him. Because of God's faithfulness, he knew he would

ever sing in praise of his name. Like the psalmist, when we feel distant from God's love, we can run back to his arms to be assured that even in our pain he's with us,

protecting and caring for us as fiercely as a mother bird guards her young.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 61. Hear my cry,

O God, listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth, I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my

refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the

shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows.

You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Increase the days of the king's life,

his years for many generations.

May he be enthroned in God's presence forever.

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