On Eagle’s Wings

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew (exchange) their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

I’ve often watched eagles soar o’er the Owyhee River, rising out of the canyon on thermal updrafts, scarcely flapping their wings, peerless examples of effortless strength and grace—reminding us that we too can rise above our busy days and duties; we can “run and not become weary.”

But, it’s worth noting, we can also “walk and not faint.” We can plod through monotonous, pedestrian days when we’re sheltering in place, distanced from family and friends, living in a house full of restless moppets, or living by ourselves—alone. In that place, as we rest in him we can “renew” (Heb: "exchange") our strength. 

Our weariness and exhaustion for God’s inexhaustible strength. Ours for the asking. Such a deal we got!

David Roper

3.28.20