GROUNDHOG SHADOWS
In just a few short days, a tradition dating back to 1887, will be celebrated at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. People celebrating what is known as Groundhog Day believe that if a groundhog named Phil sees its shadow, it will get scared and run back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather. The real reason that male groundhogs come out of their burrows is to look for a mate before going underground again. They come out of hibernation for good in March.
In Psalm 17, David writes about the great danger that he faced from his enemies, and spoke about how he had called upon God to protect him. He asksed the Lord to “keep him as the apple of His eye” and to “hide him under the shadow of His wings”.
The eye, which is round like an apple, and which is considered to be of great value, is carefully protected by the eyelids. They automatically close when there is even the slightest possibility of danger. When David used the expression, “the apple of the eye”, he tried to picture how he visualized God protecting him, because he truly believed God considered him to be of great value. In fact, God considers all of us to be of great value, and we can all benefit from His protection in our lives.
David also prayed that God would “hide him under the shadow of His wings”. In Psalm 91, David declares that whoever “dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of he Almighty”. David says that he considered God to be “his refuge and fortress”, and that he planned to always trust in Him. He also said in Psalm 91 that he saw God covering him “with His feathers” and being “under His wings of protection”.
In Matthew 23, Jesus grieved over the city of Jerusalem and its people because in the past they had killed many of the prophets of God had sent to warn them of the consequences of their sins. He said that God had “often desired to gather them to Himself, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but they wouldn’t let Him do it”.
People look to groundhogs to predict relief from the dangers of winter, but whether they see their shadow or not, there is always six more weeks until the end of winter. But putting our trust in God and allowing ourselves to be “under the shadow of the Almighty” is an absolute guarantee that we will have His protection not just for six weeks, but for as long as we remain His children.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
