SOAR

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 be faint.

–Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

 

Wow! Really stop and think about these words….

BUT THOSE WHO HOPE IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES.

 

Isn’t that such a powerful message and image?

What if we truly took those verses to heart and really emulated them in our lives? What impact would it have in changing the way we live?

 

Photo courtesy of Patrick Slaven under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

 

Let’s explore the meaning of those verses a little more deeply.

First, let’s look at some definitions of hope.

HOPE–

1-a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

2-a feeling of trust

Notice how both of these definitions use the word FEELING. Doesn’t it seem like we can’t always trust our feelings? Our feelings can change from one minute to the next.

When it comes to our faith and relationship with the Lord, shouldn’t it be based on more than just our FEELINGS that can change so rapidly?

 

Photo courtesy of John925 (Seeing With New Eyes) under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

 

How about if we viewed “hope in the Lord” more as CONFIDENT EXPECTATION, which really equates to FAITH?

But those who have CONFIDENT EXPECTATION in the Lord…

 

So, hope in the Lord is not only a feeling, but a stronger confident expectation!

Why do I think Hope = Confident Expectation = Faith?

 

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV)

Romans 4:18 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the Father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.'” (NIV)

In both of these passages, I believe the “hope” that is talked about is equal to Faith.

 

When do we need to have that CONFIDENT EXPECTATION in the Lord?

–When the chips are stacked against us.

–When our human eyes see no way out.

–When we are at our weakest.

 

Isn’t the next part of the verse, a promise IF we have that Confident Expectation, so very powerful?! What are we assured of?

Yes, that He WILL RENEW OUR STRENGTH!

 

Some ways to be renewed in strength that come to mind are:

–Having the graces to make it through our crisis or situation.

–Knowing that no matter what God is in control.

–Receiving power to face the new day even when nothing seems right.

 

THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES.

 

Did you know……

….the eagle’s wing span ranges from 6-8 feet?

…the eagle’s wings are lightweight in design weighing less than 2 lbs?

…the eagle’s wings are actually stronger than a wing of an airplane?

…the bald eagle very rarely flaps its wings but soars instead, holding its wings almost completely flat?

…the eagle’s short tail and broad, long wings allow them to soar high above the open plains and water?

 

Aren’t you just in awe when you see an eagle soaring across the sky? It is such a majestic, beautiful, peaceful scene to behold!

 

 

 

What a wonderful image and assurance for us to know that we, too, when going through the difficult times in life….

….if we keep that confidence assurance,

….the Lord is there to renew our strength

….and we can soar on His wings

….just as He created the eagles to do!

 

Soaring high above the cares of this world….

….running

….and not growing weary

….walking and not be faint!

Can you recall times when these verses ministered to you in your time of need?  Would you please be willing to share in the comment section below?  Sharing helps us all grow in our faith and it is always a blessing to see the Lord at work in your life.

 

Have you heard the song, On Eagle’s Wings, by Michael Joncas?  Take a few moments to reflect on the song….I think it will inspire you this week!