Trivia:
You all got our trivia correct; The bird that has been know to use traffic to crack open nuts! The crow is known for dropping nuts from a good height onto the road and if dropping the nut doesn't crack the nut then the cars driving by will. That moves the challenge from cracking the nut to gathering the bits of nuts from the roadway without getting hit. They have learned to wait for the light to turn red then they can gather the nuts.
Now that we're in the holiday season; Do you know which holiday takes place in October? Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day?
Challenge:
Psalm 91:3-8 "For He will rescue from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the might, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished,"
This second section that Moses' instructs us on is the assurance that as we trust in the Lord we need not fear the evils that surround us for He will consistently strike out in protection for us.
He begins by reminding us that there is no trap of mankind or otherwise, nor disease that can overtakes us when we look to God for His protection in our lives. For He protects the most helpless people as they seek His rescue.
Next we are reminded of God's desire to be our refuge, we see this refered to in Psalm 61:4; 63:7 to name just a few.
These many promises remind me of my childhood experiences on the farm and at my grandparents house. I remember walking througfh the field and seeing the mother chicken appearing on the path and right behind her were her baby chicks, all following after her happily cheeping their chords of joy, when suddenly a cat would appear ready for a delicious meal. The first reaction of the mother was to raise her wings and gather the chicks under the protection of her wings. Then she would casually move them to a place of protection, usually to another mother hen, or a nearby source of protection.
Next the mother chicken who was relieved of the duty of the chicks, would lift her wings, in order to give the appearance of a powerful defender, and then she would flash her powerful strength to bring concern to the cat, jump on him with her powerful talons, and strike with her beak. This usually ended the cats attempt at catching a baby chick gathered under the protectors wings for lunch. However, once in a while one of the chicks would come out from under the wings of its protector, which would bring it into danger.
This verse reminds me of our Heavenly Father and how He gathers us close to Him for protection under His care. Then also the foolishness that our trying to fend for ourself, when all the time He is there ready and desirous to cast His powerful protective arms into action for us.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, about what happened when that defenseless little chick would call out in fear, with a loud cheep, as if to say, "Help momma." Immediately the hen would lift its wings with great and powerful thrust with her wings, as if to say, "Don't you dare," then the enemy would turn away and leave without even the thought of attack.
SO GO WITH GOD my dear one, don't forget God's promise of protection, guidance, and even warmth when the weather turns frigid. He is always there, ready to gather us under His protective wings. We may forget the extent of His care for us, when the dark descent of our enemies come upon us. Don't forget the words of verse seven, "Though a thousand fall at your side, ... dying around you, These evils will not (dare to) touch you."
So call out to your God and He will in His power and might reach out to protect you from any darkness and disaster, "THESE EVILS WILL NOT TOUCH YOU." As verse 8 says, "Just open your eyes, and see how (He) will punish the wicked." Those who are attempting to bring harm to you, will experience the swift working of God in your defense.
Columbus Day!