The Eagle

        It appears that people have been fascinated with birds for thousands of years.  At the beginning of the U.S. our early fathers debated which kind of bird should be the symbol of this country.  Ben Franklin proposed the turkey, but the eagle was chosen.  There is something about the character of the eagle that is majestic and strong and just special.
      I find it interesting that God refers to the eagle several times in the Bible, starting with Exodus 19:4 “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle's wings . . .”   That phrase, “on eagles wings” does something for me.  Then in Isaiah 40:31, we read, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”  When God uses the analogy of the eagle my thinking tunes in because those birds are at the top of the “food chain” for their species.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF EAGLES – 
Eagles are masters of flight.  They have inspired man for thousands of years.
Eagles soar with little effort.  They catch wind currents under their wings and practically rest in flight.
Eagles fly alone.  They mate for life like many birds do but are usually seen alone in the sky.
Eagles are patient in search for food.  They sit and watch for hours then move at the right moment.
Eagles have 2 sets of eyes.  One for distance, one for shielding dust & rain, etc...
Eagles are thought to be majestic.
Eagles nest (live) on higher ground.  Above the reach of most predators.
Eagles fly higher than any other bird.
      In the Christian sense, there is a clear analogy in being “born up,” or “mount up,” to being “born again” as Christ mentioned in John Chapter 3.  Then soaring with wind under the wings speaks of the Holy Spirit empowering us, not our effort.  Lots of folks try to be righteous or religious on their own wits & strength but the wind of the Spirit is a better proposition.  Often the Christian is alone whether he/she wants to be or not.  But God's presence can be quite real & “up lifting.”  Christians learn to be patient – “waiting” on God’s timing or providence can make all the difference in any situation.  Having eyes that see the natural fallen world and also the spiritual parameters is useful. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18     The majestic part for me is realizing that I am a “Kings kid.”   All of Psalm 91 paints a glorious picture.
      Some of these reflections were covered by an older preacher named Bob P. at Pleasant Harbor Resort just north of Phoenix, AZ  Oct. 2012.   He did a wonderful job.  (And it was his last message because he died a few days later.)  For some reason a lot of this “eagle thought” had never “clicked” before, even though I love analogies and have been familiar with his scripture references.  But an incident in the year 2000 just knocks me out.  An angel spoke to me in that half-asleep state, Joel 2:28; referring to our adopted daughter.  A young female voice out of the air said, “little eagle promises to be good, daddy I love you with all my heart.”  So, if she was the “little eagle,” that makes me the “daddy eagle.”     Now I KNOW that God does want Christians to think of themselves as eagles.
     Well, there are lots of “birds” out there.  Easily one can see sparrows, doves, pigeons, ducks, chickens, turkeys, vultures, etc., etc.  But God wants us to be at the top of the heap like eagles.  He doesn’t want us to run with turkeys, especially when we can have divine “wind” under our “wings.”  Are you an eagle?  Accept Christ and His Spirit today.  Learn what those “eagle’s wings” are all about.   Ephesians 2:4-6   “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)  And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Choose Jesus, He is alive.   See also Link #28  “What’s In It For Me?”

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