WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES
ISAIAH 40:28-31 Princeton Christian Church 03 October 2021
There are many figures of speech used in Scripture to help the people of God understand themselves, and their relationship to Him. For example, Jesus refers to us as sheep in John 10:1-5. What He is saying is the sheep, on their own cannot find their way. They must have someone to lead them. In Matthew 5:13 He tells us about salt. We know some food is not appetizing without a sprinkle of salt. Good salt, that is. He tells us we are the salt of the earth. We give flavor and a pleasing task to our world. In the next verse (14) He compares us with light. Light dispels darkness, so we, as Christians are the light of the world, bringing the Gospel to those living in darkness.
He compares us, in John 15:5, saying that all fruit comes from the branches and that He is the Vine and we are the branches, hopefully producing fruit to a lost world. And, finally, in Ephesians 6:11 Paul uses this same kind of imagery as he pictures us as soldiers with the instruction to put all the full armor of God.
Now, let’s look at Isaiah 40:28-31 and see how Isaiah uses this figure of speech teaching method. He says that the man of God is compared to the greatest of the birds of the air, the eagle. There are four reasons why this is true.
First, the eagle is known for its great strength.
Christians should be “strong In the Lord.” Christians should never be weary in well-doing.
In the proper time, we will reap the harvest if we do not give up.
Second, the eagle is known for its far-sightedness. The Christian, on his knees, sees more than the philosopher on his tip-toes. Stephen, as he was being put to death, cried out, “Behold, I see the heavens open up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. This was his “eagle-eyed” vision of the Son of God (Acts 7:56). "
Daniel also exhibited that ‘far-sighted, eagle-eyed vision. In Daniel 6:10, we see his faith and trust in the God he served by his actions, knowing he would die for his faith. The Word there says Daniel was in the roof chamber, and he had the windows opened toward Jerusalem. “And he continued to kneel on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.”
And then, we find that the eagle rises above the world, which is covered by gases, smoke, dust, and clouds. In comparison, the Christian rises above the sordid things of this world.
Colossians 3:1-4 says, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Paul is speaking here and his point is that he – like the eagle – rises above to where Christ is. He thinks how Christ thinks.
The Christian walks on this earth, but his head is far above the clouds. In the clouds is where we will meet our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 says, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descent from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
Finally, the eagle is known for its longevity. The Christian will know longevity as well. We will live forever. David said, in Psalm 23-6, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
How strong are you in the Lord? How far-sighted are you? Is your sight limited to just what you see in front of you? How high have you risen above this world? Your answer to these questions determines what kind of Christian you are.
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