The Wearing Down of the Saints — David Wilkerson

The Prophecy of the Saints Being Worn Down

Down of the Saints the wearing down of the Saints go to Daniel, please I'm not going to ask those or if you have your Bible if you don't have your Bible you're naked. You should have had it. Don't come back without it, please.

Boys, you know that everybody that got your Bible. Let me see it. Hold it up there. Let me see. In that something converted drug addicts bring a Bible and you're supposed to be a child of God and you haven't brought yours.

You say you try to put me to shame yes, yes the wearing down of the Saints. Daniel 7 chapter beginning to read it the 21st verse I Beheld in the same horn that word horn means power. Authority that same authority made war with the Saints and prevailed against them.

Until the ancient of days came a judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High and the time came that the Saints Possessed the kingdom. Look at verse 25, and he shall speak great words Against the Most High and shall wear out.

Shall wear out the Saints of the Most High. I'm reading from the King James. Now some take that to be persecution some wear out and they shall wear out the Saints of the Most High and To change times and laws and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time every head bowed, please Holy Spirit.

I need the unction the authority of the Holy Spirit. My voice is weak. My body is weak. But you said your strength is made perfect in our weakness. And so I acknowledge you now would give me a voice to speak Lord.

There's a message burning on my heart and I can't preach it Lord unless the word comes forth and the strength is given to me. So I acknowledge my weakness and yet I acknowledge your strength in that weakness.

I bind every principality in power of darkness. I bind every lying spirit. I bind everything that would hinder the message from being effective Lord. Let it find its mark. The devil's trying to wear down the Saints of God, but you're going to raise up a standard against this Lord do something supernatural.

Changing us healing us God break through in a marvelous way tonight. Give us your word. Thank you Lord for the power of your word, we love your word at Times Square Church. Lord, we're not just singing.

We're not just praising we come to hear the word. We want to hear the word Oh God Deliver it to us. Amen. There's a full staff nursery for mothers who have. And any other children want to go to Children's Church now you can go out the door the ushers will show you where and there's A full staff nursery out there and the ushers will also show you where that's at.

Daniel's Promise of the Kingdom

All right, keep your Bible open to Daniel the seventh chapter will be coming back to that and I'm going to take you through five Or six other scriptures in the process of my message. But I want to begin by telling you that this message has a good ending.

Because for a while you you may think it doesn't but I want you to start by knowing that this message has a tremendous Ending not because I'm preaching because all the prophets saw what Daniel said look at verse 28 7 chapter 28 verse hitherto or up to or nevertheless.

At the end here is the end of the matter another here's the conclusion of the matter hitherto is the end of the matter. Now what's he saying the end of all things and you'll find that in verse 18? But the Saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and even forever and ever.

Hallelujah. How many think that's good news? Yes, but before that happens before that happens look at verse 27 and The kingdom in the dominion the greatness of the kingdom unto the whole heaven shall be given to the people the Most High.

Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominion shall serve and obey him and that's where we have the conclusion of all things. There's going to be a possessing of the kingdom now go back to verse 21 with me if you will.

I beheld now this before we possess the kingdom there's going to be war against the Saints and the Bible said there's going to be Prevailing against the Saints and the devil going to come and try to wear out the Saints of the Most High God verse 21 I beheld in the same horn made war with the Saints and prevailed against them until the ancient of days came.

A judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High and The time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom. I'd look this way for a moment. There's a fourth kingdom. There were four kingdoms that Daniel saw the last money most believe is the Roman Empire and out of the Roman Empire has come the ten kingdoms that Exist even today and out of this kingdom, and we don't know I don't think anybody in prophecy knows clearly all the symbols of Daniel or Revelation.

But this is backed up by Revelation the 13th chapter and I want you to turn to Revelation 13 chapter. So we get a clear vision of a spirit that's going to arise in the last days arrayed against the Saints of God.

Revelation 13 chapter quickly, and I want you to begin to read with me at verse 4 and. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power Under the beast and they worshiped to be saying who's like under the beast who is able to make war with him.

There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months and he opened his mouth and blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name.

And his tabernacle them that dwell in heaven. Now That's all I want to read if that over verse 7. It was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them and powers given him over all kindreds and tongues.

And nation all they that dwell upon there shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain From the foundation of the world if any man have ear let him hear. All right.

Now I need your attention. I want you to follow me. Now the gates of hell the scripture said shall not prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ. That means at the end. God is going to let us possess the kingdom.

He's coming forth with glory and power and every power and dominion will be brought under his foot. He's going to put his foot on all power and authority. That that's already concluded. That's everywhere written in the scripture.

All the prophets saw it. That's the end of what Daniel said that's the conclusion of all things the kingdom shall be given to the Saints. But first there's going to be prevailing against the Saints there's going to be a persecution that's going to be martyrdom.

This persecution is already happening all over the world. It's happening under communism. I've been to Poland. Don's been to Hungary. We've been invited to go back to when we invited to go into the Ukraine of Russia for meetings.

And you hear these people talk about the persecution. These just come to life to them. They're not looking at some future time. They're living it. They're living it right now. But you see the Roman Empire did persecute The Christians and many many were prevailed against they were jailed.

They were persecuted unto death. But there's going to be an acceleration of persecution also in the United States of America. I Don't know if it's going to come to place where we're going to be headed because there's another kind of persecution that I think is Probably more critical than having your head cut off because suddenly you're in glory in God's presence.

Anybody you know, I hear people say are I. I hate to focus in on any Particular person but you know when someone says God threatens to kill me I I would say if the Lord called me home. I would say with Paul.

I'd rather go. I want to be with the Lord. I don't know about you. But martyrdom shouldn't scare us. But there's there's something worse and you see it happening now, it's beginning to happen all of the United States.

Cultural and Legal Persecution of Christians

Let me let me illustrate what I'm talking about. We have some people and I mentioned last night that are coming to this church that used to attend another Liberal church here in New York City, and they're probably here tonight.

There's a small group of them and they're more and more coming out. Because they got they went into the lobby of the church and they found homosexual literature that homosexual literature was depicting the Homosexual lifestyle in detail what they do in private and secret and it was obnoxious.

It was off-color and also the church is saying to the homosexual that God loves you. Just as you are in your homosexuality. It's a it's a lifestyle and some even say a preferred lifestyle for many and When they took a stand and said look this is wrong.

This is not what the Bible said the Bible calls it sin and I want you to know at Times Square Church We call it sin. It's in homosexuality is sin now. We don't focus in on homosexuality's drunkenness alcoholism all these things.

Yes, and pride and arrogance all these things. Yes. No, no, we believe that Jesus heals homosexuals. We don't believe it's hopeless. We don't believe that you're weaned off a homosexuality a little by little we believe that you see the exceeding sinfulness of it.

You see that God's wrath is against it. You face it you turn from it and he gives you power and authority over it but you see the these dear sisters and friends went to the authorities of the church and and They said this is not right and they said well you're not welcome here then.

This is the way the church is going and they were asked to leave. Well, welcome. Welcome at Times Square Church. We welcome you with open arms. You'll never go out in this lobby and see that here. You'll find literature that shows love.

You'll show you won't find a confrontational gospel said well, hey every homo said you're going to hell. We're saying that Jesus loves you. If you will repent the Lord will set you free. But you see there's persecution coming.

The time is going to come that if I stand in the pulpit and call homosexuality a sin I can be taken to court. That's the kind of persecution that's coming it. You will not be able to touch any law about homosexuality.

It's coming the same thing with abortion. You talk about persecution. They've got the whole Supreme Court behind them. We are murdering hundreds of thousands of baby. This nation has blood on its hands.

We're a bloody nation. Killed hundreds of thousands of babies and now the law stands up to protect it. These are areas where the persecution is going to come. The scripture makes that very clear. These these bloodthirsty baby killers in America.

They're not going to be satisfied until they not only say it's a right, but they advertise it. How long do you think God's going to put up with this by the way? There's going to be an Antichrist invasion.

The scripture said they show he this power this authority of Satan is satanic. Antichrist spirit shall come forth against the church an attempt to wear out the Saints of the most high verse 25 he shall speak great words and.

And the scripture talks also about great swelling words. I read to you from Jude don't turn there. But Jude 4th chapter 4th verse. Certain men crept in unawares beware. He was saying if certain men will creep in unawares to the church.

They're ungodly men, and they're going to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. They're going to murmur. They're going to complain. They're going to walk after their own lust and they're going to speak great swelling words.

Having men's persons and admiration because of an advantage. All right, this is a very serious charge by Jude, and it's backed up by the prophecies of this great prophet Enoch who preached righteousness.

False Teachers and the Corruption of Grace

And here's the warning of Jude and Enoch the prophet this was made before Enoch was translated he had a vision of the future division of our day. And he said in these last days when men are wicked and vile.

You're going to have evil men corrupt minds creep into the church and into the pulpits. They're going to be ungodly men. They'll put on a show of piety. They're going to turn the grace of God into licentiousness.

In other words. You can do anything you please as long as you come to Jesus you can sin with your spirit. Or whether you flex as long as your spirits clean. That's that doctor's sweeping the country right now a lie right on the pit of hell.

I'm telling you can pollute your spirit. Just as well as your spirit as your body. Your spirit has to be sanctified just like your body. But he said they're going to walk after all must they're going to have great swelling words great words against God.

Having men's persons and admiration because of advantage now. I take that that great swelling words. He warns it's going to come this is going to be fantastic sermons. Great swelling words. Justification for sin.

Doctrines that justify weaknesses. And here's how it comes out. You get it from the Christian rock and rollers. They say don't judge it. Step aside. We've sanctified it. We took it away from the world.

We took it away from the BGs. We took it all we've sanctified it now leave us alone. Don't judge us great swelling words. You get it from those who think that their own goodness is going to save them.

I hear it all over, New York City. Say well reverend what's wrong with me? I'm as good as anybody in the church. All I see in the church are hypocrites anyhow. I Don't hurt anybody. I Love my kids. I love my wife.

I'm a good family man. I pray at times like I go to church Christmas and Easter and by the way, I don't blame them for going to church Christmas and Easter if I went to the church. They go to So dead and dry and empty they're just trying to get it over with.

But you know the worst form of all is Among the Saints of God. This deception you know what it is these great swelling words. It's hero worship a favorite star teachers and evangelist hero worship. I heard Pastor simpler from my friend at Brooklyn tabernacle say brother Davey come on.

They said the stars are out signing this out shining the Sun the stars. Outshining the Sun. Jesus is the Sun that we've we have created these star Evangelist and star preachers now that drive around in chauffeured limousines.

With private pilots for their jets. We have one of them. If I told you his name you'd fall in your seat. He shops up here on Fifth Avenue in a store you have to make an appointment to get there. His limousine pulls up there.

You can't buy a suit less than $2 ,000 in that store and and his lotion cost hundreds of dollars. We've created that by heaping praises. And going to them as if they were God to us having men's persons in admiration because of an advantage.

In other words if I can call you on the phone. Or if you just minister me in any way and relieve my pain you can live as high as you want you can do all. You please just minister to my pain, and you know we've created a Hollywood evangelism.

You know what God's doing. He's starting to tear it all down. He said if you people are so blind and you're gonna send money to that I'm gonna knock it down, and I'm not big physician. I'm not putting anybody down, but we got one dear brother.

He even though he's lost his ministry and everything else. He's dead. He still cannot give up his chauffeur driven Mercedes. And I still don't understand people without the discernment to see what we are doing.

We're creating this we're creating pastors like that by heaping praises and worship upon men. Multitudes of Christians today are submitting to men and not to God. They've created a pastoral mediatorship.

Christ as the Only Mediator

We've made pastors mediators. We've made teachers mediators. There's only one mediator between God, man. That's the man Christ Jesus. Do you know what the favorite question of Christians today is of? Pastors.

Do you have a word for me? Everywhere I turn if I meet somebody on the street, but they would you pray for me. And do you have a word and they're standing there like a puppy dog with their chin hanging out, please a word anyway.

Give me a word and I want to say don't you know him? Don't you walk with him? Is he hiding from you? I'm not putting that down. It's just people flock to alders hoping some man of God will Stretch out a hand to them and bind some demon and he dealt with it this morning.

I'll whisper whisper some gem of wisdom and you can hang on that word and I see big people come to Times Square Church. And they they show God maybe tonight. You'll help me with my problem and they they wait for God to pour out his spirit doing the singing maybe to hit them doing The singing if it doesn't hit doing the singing maybe doing the special or surely when he's preaching I'll get something.

There'll be a word and if they don't get it out of the sermon they come up here and just hang look you can see. That look it's frightening. You look it's a look of terror almost panic help in whatever crisis comes most Christians they Don't run to the secret closet and talk to the Lord Jesus.

First thing when a problem comes, let's see. Who can I call? 700 Club PTL. Sick people come here all the power you need to get healed is right here in this house. If you had faith and you're walking with Jesus Christ, but most people I know want to get an airplane ticket week.

We had some people come in here that were from another country over behind down curtain about five of them and and they they left their tour and They wanted us to help them get airplane tickets to Tulsa.

They thought if we just get to Tulsa God's gonna answer our prayers. Of course, we didn't give any tickets to Tulsa. Because I'm not putting Tulsa down, but you don't have to go to Tulsa. If you have a touch of God, you don't have to go out if I decide your living room.

You don't have to go outside your house. But you see we say they get together get on the telephone. Hey, I know what you need. There's a brother. There's a brother in a church that church. His name is brother discernment and he calls out people and I know if I get there and I'm prayed up.

He'll call it out. Now I'm not putting that down. I God uses of me in the streets as a gift of discernment. I can I see sins and people and things about their life, but it never works in public list. Any man gets the glory.

We make heroes we make prophets. Look at God's great man. Where can I go to? Some man somebody to touch me. Do you know that Israel became worn down looking to one man? I want you to go with me to exodus.

Moses, Jethro, and the Burden of Mediatorship

Go to exodus I you got to get this good down in your heart because I'm trying to get your eyes off men and on Jesus tonight. You know, we've had a revival here broadway. We don't even announce you to the speaker.

We've got five pastors that preach here and They'll call our office say who's preaching tonight or they say is brother Dave preaching tonight and we just say come and see. Because this is not a one-man show.

We are brothers. I doing the songs. I just reached over and hug brother said I love you brother. I feel so good working with you. This is not a one-man show. We don't have Wilkerson ites and Philip ites or Victor ites or anybody else.

We have Jesus lovers and nothing else. Hallelujah Exodus 18. Now I'm gonna start preaching now verse 13. I want to show you what happens when one man runs the show this pastoral mediation. Verse 13 it came to pass on the mall.

This is Exodus 18 chapter verse 13. Came to pass in the mall that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood by Moses from the morning into the evening. What a line that must have been. How'd you like to be in that line?

Waiting to be prayed for. Not being for Caesar folks. It's right there when Moses father-in-law saw all that he did to the people. He said what is this thing that thou doest to the people now the new American Standard says do for the people.

That's not the way it is. The original is is very correct. I studied it very clearly. What is this thing that you are doing to the people not for them to them? Why sit is thou thyself alone and all the people stand by thee from morning until evening and Moses said unto his father.

Well, because the people come unto me to inquire of God. I don't know when he ever had time to pray. Yeah. I know he had no time to his family because when Jethro his father-in-law brought his wife and that he goes in the tent spends the day with Jethro his father-in-law Tells him all that God was doing and when they have a matter they come unto me and I judge between One another and I do make them know the statutes of God and his laws and Moses father-in-law said him the thing that thou doest Is not good.

Thou will surely what? Where away we're talking about the wearing down of the Saints and here's my message you'll see it now. Both thou and this people that is with thee for this thing is too heavy for thee.

Thou are not able to pour it thyself alone. Harkin now unto my voice I'll give you counsel and God shall be with you. Be thou for the people to God word that thou mayest bring the causes unto God and thou shall teach them ordinances and laws.

And shall show them the way when they must walk and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shall provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and place such over them to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds rulers of fifties and rulers of tens.

All right, look at me if you will I've got I want you to make understand this this this word term here. We're out means to fragment to pieces in other words to wear down to the point of coming apart. In fact, we have a phrase I'm coming apart.

I'm just simply coming apart. Well, that's what he's talking about here the fragmenting of the Saints the tearing apart of the Saints. And he's going to do it with great swelling words, of course, but you look at this this Scene here you look at that line all those people hours of waiting to see one man.

Moses has become their mediator. He's become their answer man. Now Moses is sincerely trying to help. He's the meekest man on earth. He must have gone to sleep at night burying the birds of these people crying himself to sleep.

I'm sure. Hearing the anxieties of God's people. And on the surface you could look at that scene you walk by and say isn't that something look at that man. Look at the time he spends with people look how available he is.

Isn't this marvelous at this man? It's so open to the people the man. He is spending his life for the people and the whole time. It's wrong. The whole time it's wrong because everything is focused on this one man.

He's become the mediator. But something is terribly wrong. A jet through his father-in-law said what is this thing? You're doing to the people the thing you do is not good. Now here's the heart of the message and here's how the enemy is going to wear down the Saints of the Most High God.

It's easy enough to see how Moses can be worn down because he's got to sit there and listen all these problems and try to make Peace and try to pass judgment and everything comes by his desk. He sits at the the the tent door his tent door and You say well, how how can the Saints how do the Christians get worn out?

You see how Moses can but how can they get worn out? Well easy waiting for a man waiting for a man. How is the devil going to wear out the Saints? He's going to get their eyes on a man. He's going to cost them running all over the United States looking for a man looking for a touch looking for a word and you Go wear yourself out.

It's simple as that. Nothing complicated about it. The devil is going to wear down the Saints by getting them so busy. And Francis never been a generation with been more problems. Everything is accelerating out of control.

I Heard one of the president's men say we are living in a day of unsolvable problems. The problems can't even be solved anymore by any human mind and that's true. You know, there are problems in your life.

It can't be solved outside of God now, isn't that true? Things are getting so complicated. But Here's the problem Saints. This is what brother Bob was trying to work. To bring to our attention this morning.

The Priesthood of All Believers

He did so ably God never intended. That there'd be a great division between the pulpit and the pew. Did you hear me? There I don't see any line that he's drawn and said you big chief you little chief.

You know what I mean? Or on your phrase Bob we're to we're to Honor the ministry. We're to respect those that are called because of their high calling esteem them highly for the sake of the ministry. I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about this line that we draw that God only moves through preachers. He only moves through preachers. And so we have people come that are spectators and going to church is almost a spectator sport like going to see the Jets.

Or the Giants play football. Yes, and people just sit there and they hope they can't wait man. If I announced I'll tell you what I could name five or six advances right now. And if I name hey, I'll call them on the phone.

They're coming. I'd hear oohs and aahs all through the audience. Oh, he's coming. Maybe then I'll tell you what when the church gets to where it should be. It's not even gonna need a healing advances.

They're gonna call for the elders of the church. They're going to anoint them and pray for them. Then they're going to be saved and healed. And then when the church gets to the place where it's supposed to be.

Every one of us will come into the house of God from our knees. Haven't been shut in with God having touched heaven and faith rising in our heart because we're shut in with the good book. God has a place for teachers and evangelists.

Yes, he's anointed them for that to that building the body and the edifying of the Saints. But we have people who are too I'm gonna have to say it lazy. Lazy. They don't read their Bibles. They don't even know what God says.

They're not prepared for what's coming in these last days. I Want to show you in Deuteronomy go go to the right to Deuteronomy the fifth chapter. Deuteronomy the fifth chapter. I want to show you where God's people were then and I don't see that we've progressed very much from there.

From way back here in Israel fifth chapter of Deuteronomy. Verse 2022 verse 22. Deuteronomy 5 verse 22. By the way, look this way before we get into this. You see a big long line waiting for Moses. They've made a mediator not by his choice.

They've made a mediator. Don't look at that big line. You stop someone that line say what are you waiting for? We see I've got this big problem. And I've tried everything and it doesn't work and Moses is a man of God and I know if I can just get his ear.

I have so many people suppose if I could only spend 10 minutes with you. You heard that Bob if I could just have half an hour of your time if I just have an hour of your time. And you ask anyone that line?

Well, what are you waiting for? Well, well. What's that cloud of fire up there at night? And what's that cloud by day? What's that rock where the waters gushing out that living Christ the Bible says that they all drank from?

You say well, don't you know God at all it doesn't mean nothing to you is this is he just a figment of your imagination. And you look at that use that pitiful scene of all these people waiting. Look at verse 22 these words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire of the cloud and Of the thick darkness with a great voice and he added no more.

And he wrote them with two tables of stone delivered them to me. And it came to pass when you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness. For the mountain did burn with fire. You came near unto me even all the heads of your tribes and your elders and you said to me Behold the Lord God has showed us his glory and his greatness.

We have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. We've seen this day that God doth talk with man and he still lives now. Therefore why should we die now that doesn't make sense. Look at verse 24.

We've already seen that you can talk to God not die. You said we see you talk to God and still live. Then look look at this paradox now, therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore.

Then we shall die. For who is there of any flesh that hath heard the voice the living God speaking out of the midst of the fires. We haven't live it now you go near and you hear all the word all the Lord Our God shall say and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee and we will hear it and We will do it.

Now look at me, please. Do you see what happened? They said look we heard his voice. We know that we can live but we're afraid. They weren't afraid of dying. They were afraid of the consequences of stick staying in his presence.

Now listen closely. No sin can stay in his holy presence and they knew it. Because the moment you come into God's holy presence the Holy Ghost shines the floodlight on every hidden thing in your heart.

They weren't afraid to die. They said we have we have seen that you can talk to God and still live. But why should we die? We know. Because all the prophets tell us that during this whole time these same people had idols hidden in their heart.

That they had a star that they brought they carried it in a little altar. And I don't know where they hid it in in Israel as they once through but all through it the Prophet said they carried this little Star they carried these little golden oxen and they worshiped them all through the desert.

And they wouldn't let go of that. Because they were still lingering hopes about ever having to go back with their had to go back this. God was going to lead him back. And they knew they knew they'd heard from God.

They heard his voice, but they said Moses you go hear from God. You you be the leader you pray you're called to pray. You know God he talks to you and then you come back and you tell us what God is saying.

And sadly, that's what many people have done in the Church of Jesus Christ. They've abdicated their rights to hear from a holy God and the reason they don't want to hear from God. They know the consequences of hearing from God.

They know that they're going to have to lay down idolatry. They know that they can't live with any secret hidden sin in their life. God said all that there was such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep my commandments.

They were not afraid of dying. They were afraid of living in holiness. Sinner backslider. I want you to listen closely you say brother looks. And I'd sure like to hear from God and I've had a lot of people who are backslidden.

And they're living in sin or they're sinners, and they said I really need to talk to a man of God. We're in reality God's already talked to you. God has already talked to you and by the way 95 of all your questions be answered if you were in this book.

If you were really seeking this you would need to go to a man. You would need a counseling session if you were into this book. He would answer it and if you're on your face before a holy God letting him examine your heart.

You wouldn't have to run around looking for some counselor. Not saying it's sinful or wrong to go to a counselor. But when you go to counselor, he should just be confirming from the scripture what God's already told you in your own heart.

But I hear people say well, I just don't understand. I I just I've got to talk to something. I I hear I've got to talk to somebody. Well, isn't he somebody? What's wrong with talking to him? And I'm burning your heart to him.

Rolling every burden on him. What's wrong with hearing from heaven? Tell you what's wrong with it. You can't come in with unclean hands and impure heart. You sure can to a preacher but you can't toward him.

Jesus as the Shepherd and Source of Guidance

Most Christians always prefer to sit around waiting for a man or a word. Somebody to show them the way. You know Jesus saw the multitudes and he was moved to compassion. He said I see them as sheep having no shepherd.

He looked out of them. They had no guidance. They were wondering ever and there's Jesus with all the answers right in their midst. They're looking for answers. Isn't that a shame Jesus is in our midst right now?

And if he were here, he'd walk the streets of New York. I believe he'd weep just like he did over Jerusalem. He said all Jerusalem. Jerusalem how often I would have gathered you as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings.