​October 17

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust — Psa. 91:4.
 
So close to His heart does Jehovah gather His loyal and faithful children that they feel the warmth of His love, and the responsive language of their hearts is, "I will abide in thy tabernacle"—under Thy protection—"forever"; "I will trust in the covert of thy wings; for thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong Tower from the enemy … for thou, O God, hast heard my vows"—my consecration—"thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name" (Psa. 61:4, 3, 5). "I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble" (Psa. 59:16)—Z '04, 75 (R 3331).
 
The Laodicean saints are here addressed. A double picture is used to show their security, that of a hen covering her chicks from danger with her feathers, and that of an eagle protecting her young with her wings. The hen's feathers represent the Lord's providences, protecting us from some, and amid other experiences. The two wings of the eagle represent the Old and the New Testaments, whose main themes respectively are restitution, the Song of Moses, and the elective salvation, the Song of the Lamb. These truths are our protection. Thus the security of the saints is assured by the Word and providences of the Lord—P '35, 131.
 
Parallel passages: Gen. 15:1; Psa. 112:7; 121:6; 124:2, 3, 7; 141:9; 146:5, 6; Num. 23:19; Deut. 32:10-12; Isa. 43:2; Matt. 23:37; 2 Tim. 4:18; Prov. 3:21, 23, 24.

Hymns: 120, 12, 56, 63, 93, 126, 137.
Poems of Dawn, 181: Grace Sufficient.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 109 (R 5437).

Questions: Have God's providence and Word been my protection this week? How? With what effects?

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GRACE SUFFICIENT

BEAR the burden of the present,
Let the morrow bear its own;
If the morning sky be pleasant,
Why the passing night bemoan?

If the darkened heavens lower,
Wrap thy cloak around thy form;
Though the tempest rise in power,
God is mightier than the storm.

Steadfast faith and hope unshaken
Animate the trusting breast;
Step by step the journey's taken
Nearer to the land of rest.

All unseen, the Master walketh
By the toiling servant's side;
Comfortable words He talketh,
While His hands uphold and guide.

Grief, nor pain, nor any sorrow
Rends thy heart to Him unknown;
He today and He tomorrow
Grace sufficient gives His own.

Then bear thy burden with good cheer,
Take promptly up thy daily cross;
Nor hesitate to shed a tear,
Nor reckon o'er thy present loss.

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