Luke 13:34: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stones them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood {chicks} under her wings and ye would not!”
Can’t you hear the grief in Jesus words as he speaks to his children, the Jewish nation, comparing them to the chicks gathered by a mother hen? What a beautiful image of love and protection for God’s children – if only they would gather unto him.
I have read that when a chick is in danger, the mother hen sounds a warning. Her chicks will scamper for her and hide under her wings. The enemy sees no chicks at all because the wings completely hide them. The mother presents herself as a shield for anything that comes after them. The predator must go through the mother hen to get to the chicks.
Sometimes a chick in danger will become paralyzed or run out alone. The chick is trying to save himself but often is destroyed. A baby chicken that is alone is no match for a predator without the protection of the mother’s wings. Instead of being gathered it will be scattered, it will be open prey for attack by predators.
Isn’t it amazing that in the realm of the animal kingdom nature follows (most of the time) what they see modeled by parents? On the other hand, humanity -God’s creation made in his image- chosen to reign over all he created, fails to heed the call to the One who loves them the most. My heart weeps for so many that have scattered and are trying to make it alone, choosing rebellion against the knowledge of God’s truth.
Many parents and grandparents are weeping for their prodigals that addictions and wayward living have taken captive. Families have been broken, and relationships separated because the pain is just too much. I speak as one that has witnessed this up close and personal, one who is waiting with family and friends to see my loved one that is far away come home.
The grief experienced from a lost loved one who has scattered and drifted on their way sometimes is more than a person can bear, but through the strength of God’s grace, we are able to go on. We grieve as Jesus grieved for the hardness of their hearts as stated in Mark 3:5. Jesus longs to protect his children from the enemy. He gave the ultimate sacrifice when He opened his arms as they were stretched and nailed upon the cross for all that would gather unto him.
There are many stories in the Bible of families torn apart by the wayward child. One of my favorites is the story of David’s son, Absalom, found in 2nd Samuel. Absalom revolted against his father to pursue his kingdom and destroy his Father in the process. Did David stop loving his son? Not at all, there is a love for your child that is deeper than any human love known. Was David grieved? David’s grief was so great that he nearly lost his kingdom through choices he made concerning Absalom trying not to harm him. We stretch ourselves to lengths unimaginable trying to save our children. Often it is beyond our power; only Jesus is the ultimate Savior.
When David received the news of Absalom death He cried “O Absalom, my son; I would have died for thee.” David and his men had victory over the battle, but it turned to grief for all because of the death of Absalom, the king’s son. Shouldn’t we also mourn for the families of the lost loved ones who have gone astray?
Sometimes as Christians we hide behind the “I’m okay” syndrome, afraid to be transparent in the sufferings we experience. I want to mourn with those that mourn weep with those who weep and realize there are times and seasons in all our lives that are not happy times. Should we portray sadness and gloom all the time? Certainly not! As a Christian “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” But understand that in this life there will be difficulties.
Another wonderful story is found in 1st Samuel 30. It is the story of David’s people in Ziklag. Their wives, sons, and daughters were taken captive by the enemy. When David and his people came to the city, the Bible says- “they wept until they had no power to weep.” 1st Samuel 30:6.
David and the people grieved; “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Verse 8 states that David enquired of God if he should pursue the enemy and gather his families back. God said he should pursue, and without fail he would recover all! As I read this scripture for the first time several years ago, it too encouraged me that one day, all that the enemy has taken will be restored. God has the power to give us total recovery of what the enemy has stolen.
I’m reminded of a time when our son Zack was beginning to walk. He was on the move! He took off straight into the broken glass. His father scooped him up and immediately put him in a playpen, so he could not get hurt. Zack, not at all aware of the danger, screamed, cried, and shook the rails of that pen wanting out to run and play on his own.
What a beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father, gathering us up. Psalm 91:4 tells us, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Zack was too young to know the danger, but his father was his shield to protect him from harm.
As our children grow up, we can no longer sweep them up and put them in a safe place, but aren’t we glad we know a God who can? Sometimes they walk on the broken glass, sometimes they deny everything they have been taught about the way to peace and life, but we cannot give up on them -just as the Father did not give up on us. God sent healing in His wings through Jesus our Lord.
So, what do we do as watch the baby chicks scatter in their way? Isaiah 40:31 states it best, and I pray parents who are in this season of their life are encouraged as David was, and as I am. Encourage yourself in the Lord and follow this verse:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint…” Isaiah 40:31
Diane Mann
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#dianemannblogs