Good Friday morning from Still Waters Pond! It's time for some Friday Fotos! Wasn't sure what I would have to show you that I hadn't already posted earlier this week, but then this beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk flew into our pine tree just outside the back porch overlooking the pond, and stayed long enough for me to catch a few pictures before he flew away.
If you think he looks like he is hiding from something, you may be correct.
There were several big crows flying around and pestering him and loudly cawing back and forth to try and drive him away. So he flew into this tree and crouched down under the branches to get a little bit of cover from their onslaughts.
Sadly I felt like I could identify with him, although hawks are predators and he may have been too close to the crow's nest...that I don't know...but they sure did make a racket and let him know that they didn't like him in their territory under any circumstances.
Sometimes we feel like we are being hammered by the enemy and we just need to hide away for a while until they get tired of yelling at us and go away.
And then, when we feel like the coast is clear...when it seems safe enough to stick our neck back out there and look around...
We take one last quick look, and then take off as fast as we can for the next safe limb, farther away from their jeers and intimidating swoops that were intended to strike fear in our hearts and minds so they could feel more powerful than us.
We look for a safer spot where we can get a better look at our enemies and prepare for our next move, which in the case of this hawk was a flight across the pond to a more protected vantage point further away.
King David had similar experiences with his enemies, and this is what he wrote in thanks and praise to Almighty God for His protection:
Psalm 27:5-6 NKJV
"5. For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."
Psalm 28:6-7
6. "Blessed be the LORD,
because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7. The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
and with my song I will praise Him."
Perhaps we needed this lesson from the hawk today to give us encouragement and hope. It certainly spoke to my heart, and I hope it will to you as well, in case you ever find yourself feeling like this hawk probably felt. I know we usually think of the hawk as the enemy, but not in this scenario. He was being bombarded by the loud, noisy, "know it all" crows. They were the bullies, taunting him and being obnoxious and very disturbing. The hawk really had no other recourse to defend himself except to find a place of refuge for a while until they got tired of pestering him. The hawk took the low road...he hid himself for a little while until they gave up, and then his head "was lifted up above his enemies" and he could move on to safety. I actually found myself rooting and cheering for the hawk. I was happy to see him escape those pesky crows and get to higher ground where he was safe. I think I heard him give a victory cry as he flew across the pond and foiled the plans of those who sought to harm him.
Notice that the scripture verse above says "my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me"... (Psalm 27:6). To me this means that God literally lifted up King David's head above his enemies. God gave him the strength and power to overcome the evils that surrounded him on every side. David knew that without God's help he was helpless. He acknowledges that it is the LORD who is his strength and shield. "My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped." May we also recognize that it is God who gives us our strength and shield in the time of trouble...and put our trust solely in Him.
"And with my song I will praise Him."
Just some good food for thought for us today as we deal with the enemies of our lives.
Keep looking up toward heaven...God always has a better plan.
Happy Friday!!
Wonderful photos. I like our predatory birds. They have their own beauty in God's creation. xx
ReplyDeleteYes they do. They all serve their own distinct purpose in God's economy. Thank you!
DeleteYou are right, God always has a better plan......He is hope!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!! He is our hope! Praise God we have that hope!
DeleteI love this analogy! Like you, I found myself rooting for the hawk and wishing there was something 'we' could do to protect him/her. But no. Aren't their natural instincts amazing? Like a favorite 'oldie,' God Bless the beasts and the children.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Myra! Yes, it is amazing how God has given them all they need to survive. Every creature has its own purpose in God's economy.
DeleteI so loved this post Pam. It is exactly what I need to hear and remember. Another good verse is Isaiah 41:10. "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." I love any verse that reminds me that He is holding me in his hands.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day, Pam!
Amen! We need to be reminded of God upholding us at all times, especially when we are feeling weak and alone. We are so blessed.
DeleteWhen I read about the hawk,I immediately thought of Psalm 25 too! We sing a song at church called "Hide Me Away, O Lord" based on this scripture. Thanks for this encouraging post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan. I am not familiar with that particular song, but isn't it wonderful to know that we can hide ourselves in Him and He will keep us safe no matter what the storms of life may bring? We are blessed to be His children.
DeleteGorgeous photos, Pam! I hate it when I see crows stalking and terrorizing a hawk, and you have certainly made a fantastic analogy as to how our enemies wish to taunt and bully us. Yes, let us take refuge in the Lord who will lift our heads above the enemy, and keep looking up!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Amen, Martha! Our God reigns, and He is here for us. He will protect us and give us strength to stand through any battle or storm the world throws our way. Yes, always keep looking up!!
DeleteA beautiful analogy with the hawk, and the scripture in Psalm just fit right in. God has a way of doing that, He just fits right in! Always give Him praise and glory in all things.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Mary! We are so blessed to have our awesome God fighting for us. He will always protect and watch over His children. How great is our God!!
DeleteGreat analogy and a great lesson! Beautiful post, Pam! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri! It's always great to see how God puts these things together.
DeleteThat hawk was trying hard to hide from you.
ReplyDeleteWell, actually I was inside the house, taking those pictures through our window. The crows were surrounding him in the other trees and had been chasing him around before he landed in that tree. However, when I did finally stick my head out the door to see if I could get a better picture, he flew to the other tree and then finally to the other side of the pond and the crows left him alone. Maybe I helped him make his escape because the crows flew away also when I stepped outside!
DeleteWonderful photos, Pam. Sheltering in God is the best shelter available--protection from all enemies. I like Psalm 91 for protection. It's also good for us to have a "secret place" to go to be alone with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!