in his wings
Elisabeth C. Tunstall, Music Director
Introduction
The Lord uses his creation to help describe and teach the word of God in a way that we can understand and relate to, whether it be the shining sun, the mighty seas, the bountiful trees or the majestic lion, these all serve as spiritual symbols. Another creature often referenced in the Bible is that of the bird. They were created on the fifth day and are called the fowls of the air. Birds are fascinating to say the least. There are over 9,000 species throughout the world with over 715 in the United States alone. Birds are found in all kinds of environments, boasting different shapes, colors, sizes and with wings unique to their specific survival needs. Most would agree that the wings of birds are what make them so intriguing to behold. All birds have wings. Even the ones that do not fly.
Types of Wings
I have learned that there are four basic types of wing shapes including passive soaring, active soaring, elliptical wings and highspeed wings. Passive soaring wings have really long feathers creating what are known as “slots.” These birds can soar in the air for a long time without flapping their wings. The slots can catch warm air that pushes them higher up into the sky. The eagle and hawk are birds with these type of wings.
Types of Wings
Active soaring wings are long and narrow. These birds are also able to to fly without flapping their wings for a long time but depend on wind current more so than passive soaring birds. Gulls and albatrosses, for example, have these type of wings.
Types of Wings
Elliptical wings are good for quick bursts of high speed, which allows for fast take offs and tight maneuvering. Examples of birds that have this wing type are crows, ravens, blackbirds and sparrows.
Types of Wings
High-speed wings are long and thin, but not quite as long as birds with active soaring wings. As you might guess, birds with these wings are very fast and include ducks, falcons, terns, and sandpipers.
Did You Know….
You might be surprised to learn that birds have the basic type of bones in their wings that you have in your arms. A humerus bone forms the upper limb. The radius and ulna form the lower limb and there are even smaller, more delicate bones in a bird that can be liken to the bones that make up fingers in humans.
Did You Know….
Birds rely on the powerful muscles in their chest to make flying possible, just as humans rely on their chest muscles to help move their arms. The long feathers of a bird's wing are collectively referred to as flight feathers or remiges. These feathers are divided into two groups, the primaries and secondaries. The primaries are attached solidly to the bird's “hand.” The secondaries are attached to the bird's forearm. A bird can manipulate its primaries similar to how we move our fingers. The secondaries, the flight feathers on the inner section of the wing, are key for creating the lift necessary for a bird to become airborne. Now isn’t God amazing! .
Birds Are a Symbol of God
Birds are used to describe God. The dove, often described as a calm, peaceful and gentle, is depicted as the Holy Spirit that will come to you as that soft, still voice (Mark 1: 10). In the Songs of Solomon 5: 11-12, they describe Christ’s hair as black like a raven and his eyes like the eyes of a dove. In Exodus 19: 3-4, Christ describes himself as an eagle carrying his children on his wings to freedom. The Lord also eloquently speaks specifically of birds’ wings in the scriptures. Psalms 57: 1, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalms 91: 4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust….;” What does it mean to be under the wings of God? And why is this pertinent to our salvation?
Birds Are a Symbol of God
The wingspan of God has no limit. It is wide enough and spreads forth to cover all of His saints throughout every corner of this earth for their protection. Consider a parent bird that cares for their young. They will hide the babies in their wings, keeping them warm, safe and secure. The wings protect the young not only from predators but from the elements, such as the heat, wind and rain. Parent birds will continue to carry their babies to safe locations and feed them until they learn to fly themselves. Now consider the Lord. He is the the word and our Father. To be under the shadow of God’s wings, is to be in a place of safety, refuge, comfort and healing.
Spiritual Food
He feeds us the word so that we can spiritually grow and mature. He gives us comfort and security with promises of salvation. Our trials and tribulations are liken to the elements (i.e. rain, hot sun and wind) that cause us discomfort and distress. God’s presence will surround us and bear the burdens of our trials so that it does not consume or overtake us. We know our predator is Satan and dark principalities. God’s wings serve as a shield to block Satan’s fiery darts and conceal us so that we are not exposed to the devil’s tactics.
Healing Wings
He brings healing in his wings. Malachi 4: 2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” It is the word that heals us day by day as we strive to overcome our infirmities, both physical and spiritual. The Lord promises to remove our infirmities permanently. His wings not only have healing but possess power and strength to lift us up above sin and deliver us from this spiritual Egypt unto salvation.
Healing Wings
When God gives us salvation, we will be changed and made like him. This is the ultimate healing that we look forward to, the gift of immortality in which we will spiritually obtain our wings and learn to fly on our own like Christ. “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).
Healing in His Wings
So why is this topic of particular interest to me? As I along with Asaph prepare for Praise Day, which is now slated for Sabbath, November 23, 2024, we have changed our course of direction as led by the Spirit of God. We will not be releasing “Jacob’s Music Box” but instead, will release a new album entitled “Healing in His Wings.” This album is based on some of the struggles I have experienced hand but not only that, it tells the story of every saint that struggles on this road of salvation, desperately in need of healing from God.
in His wings
“But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings….” (Malachi 4: 2)
Disc 1
Praise Day
I am asking the congregation to wear black, white and gold and to decorate the church as such. We will anoint the music album on that day. We will also present and anoint new songbooks.
Praise Day
Per request of one of the members of Asaph, we will also print a second songbook design for praise day. We decided this because music is healing.
Healing in His Wings
With music, we seek to tell stories of sorrow, comfort, strength, healing and ultimately overcoming pain with the salvation from God. This is our hope and the testimony of every saint. So we, the members of Asaph, look forward to sharing this body of work with you and pray that it serves as a healing balm to you every time you press play. May God be with you all. Amen.
Time!
