Eagle’s wings, soaring to new heights, grace, and precision come together in this verse: “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for 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” (ESV Isaiah 40:30–31). Discover why God chose the eagle as a symbol and its significance in this context.
Isaiah’s original readers hoped that the LORD would be restored. For those in captivity, Isaiah spoke of a future release and return to their land. The LORD would help them endure and soar like eagles, bringing emotional and spiritual upliftment.
The first thing we need to do is learn a few things about eagles to fully understand why the Lord used an eagle instead of, let’s say, a bear or lion. We need to learn how they can fly or soar without hardly flapping their wings. I am going to list a few things I discovered about eagles.
- When an eagle loses a feather on one wing, it will lose a feather on the other to keep it balanced.
- Do you have balance in your life? Or is there something or someone pulling you in the opposite direction God wants you to go?
- Eagles ride the wind currents.
- Are you flying against the wind current? Or are you listening to the Lord faithfully, following His direction?
- Eagles often reuse their nests instead of re-creating them year after year.
- Are you bouncing from church to church because you have been hurt? Sooner or later, a member or a pastor will hurt you in the church. Wait upon the Lord, and He will see you through the hurt.
- Eagle’s vision is approximately 20/4, and their field of view is more expansive than humans.
- Are you set in your ways and resistant to allowing God to broaden your perspective? Or are you willing to let the Holy Spirit sharpen your vision in the spirit so you can see the traps the enemy has set for you?
- Eagles are committed to each other, so generally, they mate for life.
- Are you wholeheartedly committed to the Lord, or do you still have a desire for worldly things?
- The strike of an eagle’s talon is twice the force of a rifle bullet.
- Are you faithfully reading your Bible daily and seeking the Lord so that your prayers carry maximum impact, like rifle bullets hitting their intended target?
- An Eagle’s outstretched wings range from 4.5 to 6 feet. Now that wingspan also depends on the overall size of the eagle.
- What is your spiritual wingspan? Have you been attending church for years yet remain a spiritual “baby” refusing to move beyond the basics? Or are you actively seeking the Lord, growing in your faith, and maturing spiritually?
After a quick internet search, I was astounded by the incredible qualities of eagles. I came across some fascinating information that I hadn’t known before. However, the question that arose in my mind was: How does this newfound knowledge connect to the Bible and my journey as a Christian with the Lord?
One of the striking observations about eagles is their ability to soar with their wings outstretched flat, unlike other birds with a bend in their wings. Eagles effortlessly glide on wind currents without flapping their wings, patiently waiting for the rising thermals. These thermals are powerful gusts of wind that ascend from the atmosphere. This observation leads to a significant application for our daily walk.
When I contemplate the image of an eagle soaring with the wind, it reminds me of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrew, the word for spirit is רוּח (Ruach), which carries the meanings of breath, wind, and spirit. As Christians, our approach should be to listen to and soar with the Holy Spirit rather than going against His leading or relying solely on our understanding of what is best.
Just as an eagle waits for the wind thermals to carry it higher, we should patiently seek the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives. By aligning ourselves with the spirit’s leading, we can experience a greater sense of ease, purpose, and direction in our daily walk with God.
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (NASB Titus 3:5).
Eagles acquire the skills of flying and hunting by observing their parents. They are born with an instinct called imprinting, a phenomenon initially observed by Konrad Lorenz when studying ducks and geese hatching from their eggs. Lorenz noticed that these birds would form a bond with the first moving object they saw, typically their parent. Once imprinted, eagles instinctively follow their parents’ movements and guidance as they are nurtured and raised.
“PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah)” (Amplified 1 Corinthians 11:1).
In conclusion, like eagles, Christians also embark on a journey of learning to soar and fly when they become new followers of Christ. We are called to rise above our circumstances, refusing to be weighed down by life’s challenges. Additionally, as eagles hunt for fresh sustenance, Christians must actively seek nourishment from God’s Word, continuously feeding on the spiritual “mana” from heaven. Pursuing spiritual food enables us to grow, thrive, and become vibrant and active followers of Christ.
Heavenly Father,
As we conclude our reflections on eagles and their symbolism in our Christian walk, we ask for Your guidance and provision. Help us take small steps of faith, trusting in Your watchful eyes. Teach us to soar on the wind of Your Spirit, listening to Your voice and following Your direction.
Grant us balance in life, keeping us focused on Your path and free from distractions. Help us remain committed to You, finding strength in endurance and trusting in Your promises. Open our eyes to the expansiveness of Your truth and empower us to resist worldly desires.
Lord, make our prayers impactful and align them with Your will. Help us grow in faith, seeking You daily and maturing in our relationship with You. May we run without weariness, walk without fainting, and soar on the wings of faith.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
God Bless You!
Keith