Shadows

I watched a YouTube video recently of young toddlers experiencing their shadows for the first time.  They were crying fearfully and trying to run from them.  For me, it was both sad and hilarious!  It was sad because these babies were seeing for the first time what was to them a dark and ominous presence that would not go away.  I wanted to comfort the child while at the same time I was laughing heartily.  However, even as an adult, I admit being startled by my own shadow more than once.  Also, more times than I can count, I have been refreshed by the shadow of a great tree protecting me from the light and heat of the sun on a hot summer day.  It was a "refuge" for me.

David, in Psalm 63:7, shares this meaning of the "shadow" as he says, "You have been my help and in the shadow of Your wings (a symbol of protection), I sing for joy."  Notice David says, "shadow of Your wings".  He doesn't hear the shadow or feel the shadow with his hand.  But David can "see", understand, know that the shadow is there.

Knowing and understanding, we run to the shadows for a covering against the "heat" and "blinding presence" of trials.  Without that understanding, like the babies, we run in fear from that dark presence. But our shadows only prove we are here.  The baby doesn't know that yet.  Are we still babies in regard to God?  Do we have to actually see Him, touch Him, audibly hear Him to run to Him for our protection?

David didn't need the actual "Wings" of God to touch him to feel comforted.  He was comforted in the "Shadow".  It makes me think of the verse, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, then we shall see face to face."  (1 Cor. 13:12)  God increase our faith with the knowledge of Your word to keep us at rest and at peace until we see Your face.  Let us be content with hope in the Shadow of Your wings.