#tbt - soaring like eagles.

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God?".  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."

 God brought this verse/post to my mind this morning, and it was so what I needed to remember.  I was consciously thinking, "man, I am not doing good at life right now."  I have felt so ... defeated - emotionally, mentally, and physically.  God has really been challenging my heart lately and this was an incredible reminder - one that was so desperately needed today.  I hope it speaks to you as well.

 Here were some things I discovered as I unfolded this passage, digging a little deeper into the background.           

 In this passage, the prophet is reproving the people of God {who are in Babylonian captivity} for their unbelief.  He specifically addresses them as Jacob and Israel to remind them that they are God's covenant people.  These titles alone were a huge reminder as to their relationship with God.  Isaiah's way of reproving the people is by reasoning.  When we hope and trust in our own sufficiencies, we are weak and will, undoubtedly, fall/fail.  But if we hope in the Lord, He will give us strength.  We all know the concept of when we make ourselves weak, He becomes strong in us - we must die to self in order to live in the power of Christ.  

 When I read this, I was especially interested in phrase, "the Lord will renew their strength" and also, why the analogy of an eagle?  So, I did a little investigation into the eagle.  

 When an eagle is later on in his years, he goes through a renewing process.  The eagle will find a secret place and begin clawing at his face and tearing out the old feathers that have been damaged over the years, causing him to bleed badly.  This is a necessary process to prolong his life, as it renews his strength.  If the eagle were not to do this, he would not be able to live his life to his full capacity.  

 Eagles do not fly like other birds.  They do not expend useless energy flapping their wings, but rather, soar.  Flapping their wings would use an incredible amount of energy and strength, and would require much more food as fuel.  Instead, they sit on a high ledge and wait for the right wind currents to come.  When the time is right, they take off and soar upwards - effortlessly.  

 Another interesting face it this: when the eagle is FREE, they are the cleanest of birds.  They were created to be free and to soar to great heights, and are not meant to remain close to the earth in the lowlands.  If in captivity, they become the dirtiest of birds.  It's fascinating to see what we become when we are not living the life we were created to live - or in the capacity we were given.

Just like the eagle, we were created to soar - with God.  If we patiently wait on Him, HE will renew us.  The renewal process may not always be pretty, but is necessary to live our life to the fullest.  We waste too much time and energy worrying, doubting, and choosing not to trust, rather than resting in and waiting on God.  Let us remember that we are His people and He is our God.  Even though His people were in captivity, He was still with them and ready and willing to give them the strength, if only they asked.  He had not forgotten them.  And He has not forgotten us.  Or me.

 God, be my strength today.  Help me to soar.

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