On Wings as Eagles

The bald eagle is recognized as a national symbol—the majestic icon of America.  I believe eagles are among the most recognizable and beautiful birds in flight.  They soar effortlessly upon warm columns of rising air called thermals, gaining a vantage point from which they can survey the ground below and spot prey, or observe fish near the surface of a body of water.

One of the things I found most fascinating about eagles is their extraordinary eyesight.  Eagles have remarkably sharp vision, allowing them to detect prey from great distances.  Their eyes contain a high density of light-sensitive cone cells, giving them exceptional ability to see both detail and movement.  What an amazing creature God has made!

Eagles are also strong, resilient, and resourceful birds.  It is no wonder that the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, used the eagle as a picture of spiritual strength and endurance:

“But 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.” –- Isaiah 40:31

No doubt Isaiah understood the frailty of the human body and how easily we can become weary.  But weariness is not limited to the physical body.  Mental and spiritual strain can be just as exhausting, and sometimes even more so.  Doing a work for God can require tremendous energy, perseverance, and stamina as we seek to accomplish the task He has placed before us.

This Scripture reminds us of the importance of waiting upon the Lord.  There are times when we need to step away from the demands around us, enter our “closet” of prayer, and remain there until we are renewed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are not to neglect the health and needs of our physical bodies, but neither are we to neglect the spiritual person within us.  When we spend time in the presence of God, He refreshes us so that we can once again walk and run the race He has set before us.

To “mount up with wings as eagles” speaks to me of rising above the circumstances that can weigh us down and gaining a higher perspective through faith.  It is part of what enables us to remain strong as we pursue God’s directive to go into all the world and share Christ—with the nations, with our communities, in our neighborhoods, or simply with the person next door.

Jesus called us to be “fishers of men.”  But before we can effectively reach others, we must continually return to the One who gives us strength.

When we wait upon the Lord and listen for the Holy Spirit, our spiritual vision becomes clearer.  Like the eagle surveying the landscape from above, we can begin to see beyond what is immediately in front of us and gain a clearer understanding of the path God has for our lives.

So, when you are weary, take time to wait upon the Lord. Rest in His presence.  Pray.  Listen.  Allow Him to renew your strength.

Then rise.  Mount up on wings as eagles.  And continue the journey with Him.

Written by,

Papa Boyd