Where we live on the lake, we often see Bald Eagles. They are so majestic, and I never tire of seeing them. They are powerful and commanding in their presence. I am always amazed at how they can soar above everything. It seems so effortless and graceful. They also stay focused and do not allow other birds or things to distract them. Recently my husband was on the lake fishing when he noticed two bald eagles sitting in a tree. Another bird was upset at them for some reason and continued to fly at them, but they never flinched. It was as if the other bird did not exist. They were not allowing external distractions to change their mission, their rest, or their purpose.
In Exodus 19:4 God is speaking to Israel and reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt. Through all the hardships they had suffered and all the adversity they faced in leaving Egypt God wants them to understand that He was the one who brought them out. He took care of them as an eagle takes care of her eaglets.
After much reading and digging through articles from those who study eagles, I found that the term “on eagles wings” refers to how an eagle will take care of her babies. When the young are learning to fly the adult eagle will fly with them. If they appear to be getting tired or struggling the adult will swoop under the little one and carry them on their back until they reach the nest safely. Both the male and female take care of the young ones, feeding, protecting, and teaching the young ones how to survive and soar on their own.
God protected and provided for His people when they could not help themselves. He opened the Red Sea to lead them to safety. He provided a way where there was no way. Not only did He make a way of escape He destroyed their enemy behind them. He fed them in the wilderness and guided them all the way to the promised land. He took care of them with the tenderness of a loving parent. God reminds them that they witnessed, they saw, what He did. No one but God could be responsible for the miracles they had witnessed. He reminds them that He brought them to Himself. It was not of their own doing but of His.
Exodus 19:4 “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.”
In Isaiah 40:31 we see that those who wait on God, meaning their complete trust is in Him, will have their strength renewed and they shall mount up with wings as eagles. He will renew their strength as they allow Him to control their actions and attitudes. God’s people will become strong in their faith and they will be able to withstand the fiery darts Satan shoots their way. God will empower them to stand firm on Him and His promises of provision and protection. They will mount up with wings like eagles. Each year eagles and other birds molt. This is a loss of feathers as new ones appear. Their strength is renewed with the new feathers which allows them to soar above all other birds. They do not grow weary because they are flying high enough to soar on the winds.
Isaiah 40:31 “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.”
As we learn more about God, we too will trust Him more. If we step back and take a long look at our lives we can see all the times He has carried us on His wings. We can see the pieces of the puzzle coming together to make a picture of our lives. Sometimes He allows us to suffer the consequences of our actions because we have stopped depending on Him and started to do things in our own strength. We begin to feel self-sufficient and forget where our abilities come from. Our focus becomes inward instead of upward.
Now, let’s have a check-up. If we want to soar as the eagles do, we must keep God in His rightful place. He must be first in our time. How much time are you spending in His word each day? How faithful are you to His house each week? Sometimes we fool ourselves into believing we are faithful when God sees it differently. What about your talent? Are you using it to further the kingdom of God? Do you leave your home wondering who God will put in your path to tell about His goodness and salvation? Just like the eagle on the lake did not allow external forces to move him, we also must not allow external things to control our relationship with God. Stop making excuses if you want to soar on eagle’s wings, seek Him and obey.
Excellent