On Wings of Eagles
“Bald Eagle” sculpture by David Turner, Newport University, Newport News, VA, Author Tony Alter (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
Eagles are powerful birds, capable of flying to heights of 15,000 feet or more. They can achieve speeds of 30-35 mph in flight. Adults have a seven foot wingspan. Fierce and strong, eagles are not afraid to share rising thermals with hang gliders.
The bald eagle was selected as the emblem of the United States in 1782 when the Great Seal was adopted. That a great nation would choose such a symbol is understandable. How we — who struggle with daily trials, large and small — might gain wings like those of eagles is more difficult to comprehend.
The car refuses to start the morning of a badly needed job interview. The children have outgrown their shoes again. Desperate for help, she sits on hold for an hour with some agency. He is suddenly coughing up blood. The list of trials is endless. We can begin to feel as insignificant as dust motes in a hurricane.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. That is not an empty promise. The Lord has not forgotten us. We have not fallen off His radar. We are never out of mind. He is pursuing our sanctification, and increasing our endurance — even when we think we can bear no more.
“But those who wait on 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” (Isaiah 40: 31).
Lord God, we ask that you renew our strength and the strength of our troops, though we (and they) may be past the point of exhaustion. Be patient with our impatience, Lord, for we are flesh and wrestle against the bonds of time.
We rely on Your promise that we will rise on wings of eagles. We wait on Your perfect timing.
Amen
Originally posted 7/1/13
Happy New Year!
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A Lawyer's Prayers 
This is So Good, So Good, Anna. I love the phrase “dust motes in a hurricane”–that IS how it feels when things are desperate. And I love that His promises are not empty–no, not at all; He’s not forgotten us, nor have we fallen off His radar (love that too!). My wings are getting close to “lift off”–I’m so excited! God bless you according to His abundant riches in grace–and everything else ❤ stella
I wish you joy, Stella, and the fulfillment of your dreams. You have waited so patiently, through so much pain and difficulty. But your faith burns strong. That is an inspiration to me. God, I know, has not forgotten you. ❤
Thanks, Anna ❤
Amen. 🙂
How timely Anna! For the past few days I have been watching a local “eagle cam” where a pair of eagles are hatching babies. Such powerful and majestic creatures,they are also astonishingly loving.
I think of Isaiah 40:31 as I watch them in the nest and am reminded of God’s power and faithfulness to his children. There have been many times in my life when I’ve felt forsaken of the Lord,and each time I’ve had to repent of my foolish thoughts after remembering his precious promises.
They that wait upon the Lord shall…
I’ve felt forsaken at times, too, Ron. But God is faithful. To my good fortune, I live on a major flyway and see a great variety of birds, from starlings to Canada geese. I especially love to see the birds of prey like eagles soar, overhead. They so clearly point to their Creator.
Thank you so much for this post/prayer, dear Anna. It was a VERY timely reminder for me today!
Sometimes when the circumstances are overwhelming (more and more physical pains in my case), it is so easy to lose sight of God. Since I have been an impatient woman all my life, waiting on God is much easier for me when everything seems to work well. 😉
Have an immensely Blessed and Restful New Year, dear Anna! ❤ ❤ ❤
Much love,
Susanne
My heart goes out to you, Susanne. CS Lewis, I’m sure you know, said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains.” Still, I hate pain of any kind — whether the agony of migraines, the darkness of depression, or the torment of anxiety. Pain can turn us into blathering idiots, reduce us to cinders. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us “with groans too deep for words” (Rom. 8: 26-27). That is a great comfort to me, when I am at a loss for words.
I wish you a blessed (and restorative) New Year, Susanne. Though I am at a distance from you, your suffering has been obvious. So, too, has your faith. That is a constant inspiration.
Much love, dear sister,
A. ❤ ❤ ❤
You are such a sweet and compassionate woman, Anna! Thank you so much for your kind and tender words. I know you know what suffering is all about!! You are in my heart and prayers, dear Anna. 🤗😚🤗
Now if only suffering burned calories (LOL)!
This is a funny thought, Anna! If so, we both would be invisible by now (too thin to be perceived by other human beings). 🙂
Anna, I wanted to write you a thoughtful comment to your blog, but my back pains have become too distracting. Waiting on the Lord for my healing and praying for you,
Michael ❤
You are welcome here in all states of health, my friend (with or without your usual profound comments). In view of my recent conversation with Susanne, I cannot help but be reminded that “…we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4: 7). I am praying for you. ❤
Dear Anna,
Yes, Jesus has chosen to abide in some very simple clay vessels like ourselves with all our imperfections so that we might manifest HIS glory and not our own. As for your blog, I have watched eagles for years. We have lots of them in this area of the country. They “mount up” with eagle’s wings by stretching them out and holding them fixed and let the air thermals carry them higher and higher until they go clean out of sight. They do all this by simply abiding in what God provides them as they rest. Somehow I am reminded of Enoch of old in all this,
“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (Gen 5:24, ESV2011)
May we all keep our arms stretched out to Him, dear sister, and rise up together,
Michael ❤
What a beautiful comment, Michael. Well worth waiting for! 🙂 ❤
Thanks, Anna. 🙂
Beautiful and encouraging words Anna. I really enjoy your prayers at the end too. Peace.
Thank you, Nicodemas. I so appreciate the compliment, coming as it does from a fellow writer.
Such an amazing thought to bring the scripture and the Eagles together. I know that during my season of waiting I often behave as though I’m going to mount the wings of a penguin. But this is a blessed reminder that with God I can soar! Thank you!
So glad you liked the post. I am not a patient woman either (LOL). Blessings, A. ❤
Reblogged this on #Believe237 and commented:
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Thank you, Steve! God bless you. ❤
I had a professor in seminary by the name of David Turner. As we entered our NT class on the Gospels started out each he had a live feed of a bald eagle’s nest playing. Ornithology was a passion of his. So to see an eagle statue made by a David Turner is quite fascinating. Great Post.
What a coincidence! Glad you liked the post. 🙂
Encouraging post, Anna ❤ 🙂 💜 Jackie@KWH
Thanks, Jackie! ❤ 🙂 ❤