Oct 11 – Upon His Wings!

“As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings.” (Deuteronomy 32:11)

When a mother eagle spreads her wings, some of her young, out of love and affection for their mother, will willingly climb onto her wings. But there are times when she has to urge or even force some of them to do so.

Those who teach children to swim often tell them to jump into the water. Some children, out of excitement and eagerness, jump in and soon learn to swim. Others become frightened when they see the water and hesitate. In such cases, they may have to be encouraged—or even pushed—to enter the water. Somehow, they must learn to swim.

For the Israelites, who had lived for 430 years in the nest of Egypt, the Lord spread out His wings. Many of them were reluctant to leave Egypt. Therefore, on the one hand, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart. On the other hand, He sent the ten plagues. Finally, He lovingly brought the Israelites out of Egypt.

The Red Sea miraculously opened a way for them. For forty years, they journeyed with the Lord through the wilderness, witnessing His mighty works along the way. Reminding them of this, the Lord said: “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” (Exodus 19:4)

Imagine the joy of the little eaglets riding upon their mother’s wings! Until then, they had remained inside their nest, like frogs that know only the confines of their well, perhaps imagining that the nest was their entire world. But now, carried upon their mother’s wings, they were able to see the vastness of the world around them.

Then comes the next stage. One by one, the mother eagle carries her young high into the sky. Suddenly, she folds her wings and lets the eaglet fall. It happens in an instant. The little eaglet trembles with fear and frantically beats its wings, desperately trying to fly. At the same time, the thought of falling to the ground and being crushed fills it with terror.

Yet its wings are not strong enough. It begins to fall rapidly toward the ground. But in the very next moment, the mother eagle swiftly dives beneath her young, spreads her powerful wings, and catches the falling eaglet. She repeats this process again and again. Eventually, the eaglet learns to fly beautifully. Before long, it is able to soar through the heavens with the same grace and strength as its mother.

Children of God, desire those exalted experiences of being carried upon the wings of the Lord!

There may be times when the Lord allows you to step beyond what is familiar and comfortable. You may feel as though you are falling and wonder whether you can make it. But remember: the Lord is watching over you. He will not allow you to fall beyond the reach of His grace. He will teach you to rise, to trust Him, and ultimately to soar in the strength He provides.

Verse for further meditation: “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)