The Favor of the Lord

Psalm 5:12- Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;  you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
(www.lifejournal.cc) The Psalmist this morning is speaking of finding refuge in the Lord.   He speaks of seeking the Face of God in prayer, coming into the House of God seeking refuge from his enemies.  He concludes by asking God to "spread his protection" over him so that he can again rejoice in the Lord.  Then he concludes by speaking of surrounding them with favor as a shield.  I cannot help but be reminded of a story that I heard about something found after a forest fire.  I believe it was seen in the crevice of a tree at its base or in a small divot in the ground.  The person coming through heard a bird...maybe several, but saw none.  Looking down, he saw a charred bird with its wings extended over the ground but obviously dead by the smoke of the fire.  The person kicked the dead bird to the side and found to his surprise her babies safely stored under her wings and hungry for nourishment. When Christ went to the cross, He spread His wings and protected us from the wrath that our sins had caused.  He died so that we can live under the shelter of his wing of salvation.  Some will not receive such favor.  They will chose not to.  Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:37- “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 
The option is ours.  Will we run to the Lord's Shield of Salvation for protection or will we try to sustain the battle on our own in a losing effort?
I encourage you to embrace the favor of His Protection today and give Him Praise!