FLYING LIKE EAGLES:
Celebrating Life On HIGH!
“But those who wait on 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.” (Isaiah 40:31)
The old expression: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” is a true one and above reproach, even in the secular community. But for believers this concept extends far beyond the merits of a true saying. And not only do our hard times make us stronger, we can have the joy of the Lord in the midst of difficulty, for God will lift us above it all; our spirit soaring even though we are in a period of hardship. Hence the above verse about the eagle in this well-known and beloved verse, and one that, when upon meditation in the glory of it, has the enabling power to empower us: body, mind and soul…..
Furthermore, a little research clearly reveals the reason for the Bible’s illustration of the eagle. The analogy of God’s children learning to wait on the Lord, and the ability of the eagle to fly above the storm align perfectly, and provide the believer with a weapon in the fight against becoming downtrodden, overwhelmed and discouraged during times of trouble….
A quote from “7Principles of an Eagle"—Berean Publishers
“Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm winds to lift it higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings.”
A quote from “Can Eagles Fly Above Storms/or into Storms?” By crittasaurus.com:
“Larger eagles, like golden eagles and bald eagles, can fly high enough to rise above many storm clouds. They have been observed at altitudes of up to 11,000 feet, the altitude that many small planes fly at.”
Thank God that we can, not only count on Him to provide comfort during difficult times, we are even afforded increased strength, rest, joy and the promise of victory in the midst of the storms of our lives—
“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
The eagle verse illustrates to believers that if we more fully submit to God, we can soar above our circumstances. In the midst of trials we can still have joy, and the kind that is above circumstance is so superior to worldly joy, which is better defined as happiness, as the joy the world knows can only hinge on ‘happenstance.’
When we learn to wait on the Lord for His Answer, His Voice and His Leading, rather than do what we want, and then ask God to bless it, we are not in submission and, thus, we cannot expect to soar……But when we do, we will find that things work out so much better, and possibly even for others around us, for God’s will even re-energize us in our weakened state; He will provide His supernatural energy and strength. And we will know that He is the One working in and through our trials. For, much like the eagle is able to fly above the storm and soars without care, our God in His Goodness, carries us above the storms of life.
Moreover, when God waits until the time of His choosing to deliver us, it’s a test of our faithfulness and trust in Him, which brings glory to Him, and blessings for those who obey this Precept:
“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
When we wait on Him, rather than using our own human logic and reasoning to try and make something beneficial happen, our God is moved by our faithfulness, to act on our behalf—
“For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14)
And when we see the wicked getting everything they want, we do not have to let that bother us, for even as they are unaware, they are living in wait on His unexpected judgment against them, for God will have His Way against evil:
“For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.” (Proverbs 37:9)
And not only that, God will make us aware of the demise of our enemies, not so that we may rejoice in their suffering, but rather so that He is Exalted and Glorified:
“Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.” (Psalm 37:34)
And exalted He will be, even in the earth, when He throws the devil and all his minions into the Lake of Fire, while we are spared the horrors of His Judgment—
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)
And, knowing God and trusting in the surety of His deliverance, we are enabled to wait; knowing that His recompense is far superior than anything we can even imagine to do on our own behalf and/or the behalf of our loved ones:
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
“Our soul wait for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His Holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.” (Psalm33:20-22)
“Do not say, “I will recompense evil;” Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” (Proverbs 20:22)
“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’” (Deuteronomy 32:35)
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much a it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the LORD.” (Romans 12:17-19)
“I have waited for your salvation, O LORD!” (Genesis 49:18)
Jesus said that we can rejoice in our troubles, for if we learn to abide in His Precepts, we can have joy even during our trials. And furthermore, He has declared that trials will indeed come:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
And how wonderful is our God that He has made us able, if we are in Christ, to grow, and in fact, grow more readily while difficulties are upon us; giving us even more reason to rejoice! How then, can we not say: Praise the LORD!?
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)
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