ON EAGLE’S WINGS January 2019
Isaiah 40:31 … they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
From time to time, we have all been influenced by “they” and what “they say”. To date, “they” is yet to be identified so that they can account for the impact of their advice. Hopefully, one of these days, “they” will remove the mask and reveal who they are.
Many decisions have been made by us, based on the popular opinion of “they”, but the Scriptures have given some specifics on a certain “they”: they that wait on the Lord. Our expectations differ, based on whom and on what we are waiting. Our hopes are proportionate to the might, ability, authority, character and position of the one on whom we wait.
Ordinarily, we expect someone to pull strings for us. In Christendom, that is termed “favor”. We have rights as well as responsibilities. However, while we wait, we demonstrate faith or the lack of it, by our speech and/or activities. It is imperative that we watch while waiting and interpret every look and action. If we are not keen and we fail to observe our guest, we may miss little cues and gestures that convey intended messages.
When we are being waited on, we expect to be served to satisfaction. We, as stewards are to be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2). Therefore, as we WAIT ON (serve) the Lord, we must zero in on the hints that He gives. Are we prepared to not only, take His order, but also, to fill His request? Will He be pleased with our service? Does He sit for a long time before we show up? On whom do we wait? Who is He to us? Ruler? Master? Commander in Chief? Do you mean LORD, as in the One in control? The One who calls the shots? Yes, that One!
As we present His order, is it exactly as He requested? What if He orders something that we were not prepared to serve? Remember, He is reasonable and will only request what He knows we can deliver. (1 Corinthians 10:13). In waiting on Him, it demands our attention, devotion, commitment and resolve. The order must be filled carefully and completely to meet His expectation and approval.
We may bring Him the appetizer: praise, to whet His palate. In other words, He begins to feel housed and welcomed. As He listens to our cries, He places His glass (bottles for our tears [Psalm 56:8]) in a position for us to fill and refill when it is empty. All those services are necessary actions that demonstrate our availability. When He speaks, miraculous things happen. Worlds are created. He has given us the same power of the tongue. We must therefore be aware that we do create our worlds. And so, as we wait on Him, we make a conscious decision to be positive.
Waiting is time-consuming: a lady in waiting; an animal’s gestation period; fruits in their season. To hurry the process of time, results in aborting that which should have been mature, i.e. perfect. And so, we wait on the Master of the Universe. The ironic thing is that we are in a position of honor, by virtue of the status of our Guest. Elegance becomes us, in that, we are attired in robes of righteousness and full armor for protection from dissatisfied customers. (Ephesians 6:11) It is the Lord who establishes us as servants. With such standing, we have the responsibility to: renew our strength: mount up as on eagle’s wings; run without being weary and: walk without fainting. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that WE shall do these things. They are milestones that we take as we wait on Him. The Lord has equipped us with the tools to accomplish these tasks.
Firstly, we must renew our strength. That requires total acknowledgement that we are weak and frail and need His ability to fortify us. When the Spirit of the Lord came on Samson (symbolic in his hair), his strength surpassed human belief. (Judges 15:4). Our strength is embedded in the covering of the joy of the Lord. If that joy is stripped from us, we become weak and must muster up the courage to sing joyful songs and break through the darkness. Sometimes, all we can do is hum, but make the effort to think happy thoughts. Faith in God’s promises (Hebrews 10: 35,36) has its rewards.
Fear saps strength and causes distress, therefore we are commanded to fear not. (Isaiah 41:10). Joshua, the successor of Moses, repeatedly commands us to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us. He, the source of strength, desires that we draw from that endless supply. (Philippians 4:13). A commitment to hone in on joy even when we can’t figure it out, pleases God.
Secondly, mount on wings as eagles: symbol of a wide span. These birds of prey can support objects that are larger and heavier than their size. Eagles soar, often alone, at high altitudes. Their keen eyesight allows them to view, focus from afar and snatch their target, accurately from below. They travel for very long distances without tiring or needing to rest. When they swoop down, it is with purpose and precision. Strength, courage, power, beauty and freedom all characterize eagles. Knowing this, there is no doubt why we are told to mount up like them.
We rise above complacency, yielding to sin, despondency, failure and fear. Instead, we strive to soar towards resisting the Enemy. Why are there reasons to soar? Lack of: focus, courage and clarity, will keep us wallowing in the debris of self-pity. On the other hand, at the altitude of God’s ways and thoughts, we transcend from faith to faith and find confidence that, because we love Him, ALL things will work together for our good. The assurance of God’s faithfulness propels us into a realm in which our minds are captivated with the wonder of His peace, love, grace, wisdom and mercy.
Then, Isaiah says we shall run without becoming weary. Long-distance athletes understand this principle, that of endurance. In preparation for their race, they exercise and push themselves. Their goal is to win. Hebrews 12:1,11 tells us how to run with intended results. There are on-lookers, so we discard hindrances of second-guessing, intolerance and disobedience. Those things will retard our progress toward the finish line, so we run decidedly and expectantly.
The purpose of the difficult places along our path, is to build patience and hardness, like good soldiers (2Timothy 2:3-5). Also, they exercise us in fruitfulness and right living. As spiritual endurance is promoted, we tolerate its discipline and so are not weary. High resistance is achieved, and we refuse to buckle under the pressure to quit.
To become faint is to be dizzy and/or unconscious, so we are told to walk without becoming fatigued. Keep abreast of the benefits that belong to us, by studying the Scriptures. It is excellent to be able to quote them, however, they must be evidenced at work in us, daily. Walk them out. Both running and walking denote progress and require movement. Where there is no motion, dormancy thrives. We become satisfied with the lack of growth, and indifferent to the needs of others.
We are encouraged to walk and not become faint-hearted. Search the Word and be fortified to leap over walls of anxiety, plots, doubt and limited resources. (2 Samuel 22:30) To walk in the steps that are ordered by the Lord, mean that we retain the awareness that He will not fail nor forsake us. We have cheerleaders who encourage us to persevere. We can make it! It IS possible, but it is crucial for them that wait on the Lord, to realize that they are the ones who must act.
Like the Israelites, we have experienced how God elevated us above the enemy’s plans to crush us. (Exodus 19:4). Mount up on eagle’s wings. There, we are assured that whatever transpires, God’s purpose is to bring us to a higher place in Himself: heavenly places where we function as princesses and princes.
Why do we need to mount up? There is just one path in the heights: the one which the Lord wants us to navigate. There, we will be totally dependent on His guidance… (Job 23:10). Also, we have access to everything that belongs to the King. Servants (angels) move to do God’s bidding. That’s how high eagles’ wings will propel us. As servants of the Most High God, let us wait on Him and present Him with eye-catching service and proper etiquette. Soar to freedom and new perspectives on eagle’s wings.
Dr. O. A. James