The Bible has several verses that use metaphors about eagles to describe God's loving care for us.
Exodus 19:4 (KJV) - 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) - 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.
Deuteronomy 32:11 (NASB) - "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, That hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.
I recently read a great story about how eagles mate. The female eagle watches for a male that is interested in her and when she's ready to be courted, she flies down and picks up a twig or branch and brings it up high with her. She then drops the twig and watches to see if the male catches it before it hits the ground. If he catches it and returns it to her, she will find another larger or smaller stick to drop next time. She will continue to do this with various size branches and from various heights. If the male ever lets the branch hit the ground, she flies away and the courtship is over. She may do this over and over until she is satisfied that he will never allow the branch to hit the ground. For the final test, she will pick up a small log, almost as big as she is and fly swiftly in a figure eight pattern. If he succeeds, they will lock their talons and do a mating dance in flight and then they will mate for life.
What is truly interesting to note is that when a baby eaglet reaches a certain point of maturity, the mother eagle will shove her little eagle out of the nest and he will be frightened to death. He's never flown before and doesn't know what to expect, so it is a very scary time for him. He tries and tries to flap his wings fast enough to stay afloat but he is surely going to die if he hits the ground. But he doesn't know the plan. You see, just before he hits the ground, the father eagle swoops down under him and catches him on his wings and brings him back to the nest for his next flying lesson. Now you see why the female was so adamant about him catching the branch every single time.
Does God ever seem distant in your life? Are you going through circumstances that are very difficult and you don't know why? Do you sometimes think that God isn't listening or involved with your life? Sometimes it may seem that way...but God is involved and He's always there to support you even when it doesn't feel like it. He knows what is best for us and how much we need to learn in our circumstances.
Have you noticed that some of the greatest ministry leaders had to go through a tough, similar circumstance before genuinely understanding what others with the same problems/challenges are going through? Whether it be alcoholism, drugs, illicit sex, adultery, breaking the law etc. it seems that those who have found redemption from their previous ills are those who can minister best to others who are involved in the same sin and deceptive path in life. These lifestyles can lead a person into the throes of sin, abuse, pain and hopelessness. Those who have already experienced such things are often better able to identify with those who are suffering from the same illness or angst. Going through such "longsuffering" is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It may not be a pleasant one, but it is sometimes necessary to bring people to realize their need for redemption. Then, they are equipped to bring others to realize their need for redemption in Jesus Christ.
Readers here have mentioned that when I share personal stories of pain or suffering in my life and then share the redemptive power of Christ coming through in the midst of the darkness; this is when the blog ministers to their hearts in a big way. Why? Because they see that in a circumstance where there may appear that there is no hope, God is ultimately faithful and true.
We find that in such circumstances His enabling and His grace, brings hope and encouragement. Through a deeper understanding of God's
Word, His purpose, and His sovereignty, people learn that God swoops under us and saves us, just when we thought we were about to crash.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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2 comments:
I listened to Stephen Bennett's Straight Talk Radio program today (Friday), the story of Alan & Angie. Their testimony is touching.
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Powerful... I love you Christine. I am glad you love Jesus. Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem.(ss)
Yes Susan, Alan and Angie's testimony showed the reality of what Christ can do to heal a broken person and save a relationship from divorce. Too many people take the easy way out. David Kupelian's book demonstrated how the "no-fault" divorce laws were hugely responsible for all the broken marriages and devastated children in this country. It has taken an enormous toll on many lives.
The fact that Alan and Angie's story didn't take the route that Hollyweird would take in similar circumstances (e.g. Brokeback Mountain) demonstrates that real hope does not reside in pursuing selfish desires, but in commitment and love as God intended for men and women. It was fascinating to hear Alan admit that it was his own selfishness that kept him from asking God to release him from same-sex attraction. Once he gave it all to Jesus Christ, he could be restored as the man God originally planned for him to be. Thus, he could be the husband and father he was meant to be. He was restored from his previous sexual brokenness because that is precisely what it is...brokenness.
You have a powerful testimony as well Susan. I thank God that I have met you online and that we have talked over the phone. Your restoration is another proof that with Jesus Christ in one's life, all things are possible...even restoration from years of physical and emotional habits that could lead to a broken life and thus miss the redemption offered through our Lord and Savior. Thank you, my friend, for being so open and honest about your past. I'm sure that your testimony has ministered to hundreds of people in your life!! God can take ANYTHING and bring it unto Himself for good purposes. You are living proof of that!
I love you too, my friend and sister in Christ. I am keeping your residence in the Holy Land and Prime Minister Sharon in my prayers!
Christine
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