With Wings Like Eagles

 

One of the great passages of the Old Testament is found in Isa. 40. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (40:28-31).

 

Edward Young, in his comments on this verse, tells us, “With apparently no effort the eagle mounts high into the sky; so the people of God will mount up from the depths of their griefs and difficulties.” The sight of an eagle soaring in the sky, seemingly without effort, is a beautiful and majestic scene. What an image God uses to convey the strength he offers those who trust in him, who put their confidence in him and living for him. 

 

Discouragement is one of Satan’s tools against us in daily Christian living. Not everything goes as we expect. We apply ourselves and work hard, sometimes to see no change, or from our perspective, things worsen. We pray but don’t feel God hears or answers. Facing the circumstances of life can be tiring, and looking at things from the perspective of today can get us down. But God offers a vision beyond today. Seeing eternity in all of life gives us strength and encouragement not to give up. When Paul considered the highs and lows of life, he could say, no matter what he faced, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).  Such confidence comes because he looked up and saw God in it all.

 

The Hebrew writer encourages us with a similar thought. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

 

Soaring with eagles, running without becoming weary, what an image the prophet used to convey what God offers those spiritually focused in life. Don’t let life get you down, as God is always there to help, no matter the burden, no matter the joy. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalm 103:2-5).

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

 

Robert