Saturday, August 22, 2026From the news

Sheltered in His Wings Amid Hidden Dangers

As health warnings remind us of our vulnerabilities in this outbreak, Scripture comforts us with God's protective refuge and the wisdom to heed prudent counsel.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (NIV)

Proverbs 22:3

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' (NIV)

Psalm 91:1-2

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Are you not much more valuable than they? So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (NIV)

Matthew 10:29-31

Dear friend, in these uncertain days, the news of a salmonella outbreak brings a heavy shadow over our tables. The Food Standards Agency has issued clear warnings: under-fives, pregnant women, those over 65, and anyone with health conditions should steer clear of runny eggs and dishes like mayonnaise or hollandaise when eating out. One precious life has been lost, hundreds have fallen ill, and experts trace it to imported eggs. It's a stark reminder of how fragile we are, how hidden dangers can lurk even in something as simple and nourishing as eggs. Our hearts ache for those affected, for the families carrying that grief, and for the vulnerable ones now watching every bite with caution.

Yet, take heart, beloved. God sees every vulnerability, every quiet fear that stirs in your heart this morning. He who numbers the hairs on your head knows the worries that weigh on young parents, on grandparents savoring a café breakfast, on expectant mothers dreaming of their child's first smile. In Proverbs 22:3, we read, 'The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.' The Lord Himself gives wisdom through voices like the FSA's chief scientific adviser, urging us to ensure eggs are well-cooked when dining out. British Lion eggs are safe, they say, but caution remains our friend. Let us remember this as a gentle call to stewardship—caring for the bodies God has entrusted to us, heeding advice not out of fear, but out of grateful wisdom.

More deeply still, we rest in the promise of Psalm 91:1-2: 'Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."' Picture it, friend: even as outbreaks spread, you dwell in His shelter. No danger catches Him unaware. He is your refuge, a fortress stronger than any health guideline, a God worthy of your trust. And Jesus echoes this in Matthew 10:29-31: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Are you not much more valuable than they? So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.' If God watches over the sparrow, how much more does He cradle you, His child redeemed by Christ's blood?

In this moment, let the grace of Jesus wrap around you like a warm embrace. Personal faith in Him isn't about escaping all risks—life in a fallen world holds them—but about abiding in His peace amid them. When you choose well-cooked eggs or ask about their source, you're honoring the practical discipleship Scripture calls us to: loving our neighbors by staying healthy, trusting God's provision in supermarkets stocked with safe British eggs. Let this outbreak draw you nearer to Him, not push you into anxiety. His mercy is new every morning, healing diseases, forgiving sins, and guarding the vulnerable.

Today, as you plan your meals, whisper thanks for wise warnings and a watchful Father. Rest in His nearness, dear one. The One who calmed storms and fed multitudes with loaves and fish holds your every need. You're safe in His wings, even when the world feels unsteady.