Wings As Eagles

Jimmy and I were on our way to yet another doctor's appointment, and we were driving down the highway. It was a very windy day and I looked out ahead of us, and there was this big hawk soaring on the wind. He would take one big flap and then just soar for a very long time. Then he would flap again and soar a long time more. I sat there, watching him out the window thinking how he looked like he was enjoying his flight. The verse immediately popped in my mind, Ps. 55:6 "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." As soon as I thought that, it sounded like a great introduction to a pity party so I then redirected my mind to Isa 40:31 "But 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." My thoughts then ran to how that bird used the wind to his advantage. Instead of fighting against it, getting nowhere, and wearing himself out, he let it get under him and soar him to greater heights without any effort.
Then, I began to wonder why would God (the Creator and Master of the wind)allow the wind to come into our lives? I went home and studied my Bible and looked where the word "wind" was used.
Here is a few things I came up with:
~ To show His power - Mark 4:37-41 - this is the story of Jesus calming the storm for the disciple on the boat when they were so afraid. He proved He was God.
~ To get our attention when we are running away from God - Jonah 1:1-4 - the Lord sent a great wind so they would throw Jonah overboard.
~ To fix our stinking attitudes and correct our perspective - Jonah 3:10-4:11 - this is where Jonah was pouting because God had not destroyed Ninevah and the gourd had grown over Jonah's head to give him shade and God sent a vehement east wind to kill the gourd and get Jonah to see that he was more upset over the life of the gourd then the lives of the Ninevites.
~ To help us see that He is the only way of deliverance - Matthew 14:22-32 - this is the story of Peter walking out to Christ on the water and he became afraid. The Bible says that he became afraid when he saw that the wind was boistrous - not the sea. I am glad that Peter did not try to swim or ask his buddies to throw him a rope. He knew who his Deliverer was and immediately called for help.
~ To cleanse so the light of God may shine more brightly. Job 37:21 "And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them." I think this is a beautiful verse. When you are in a plane and you are high above the clouds, the sun is shining beautifully and the skies are a brilliant blue. You look down and you can see the clouds below you. When you are on the ground, you cannot see the sunshine and the beautiful sky. You only see the clouds. God uses the wind to move our weather patterns. We watch the clouds move quickly across the sky when a storm is blowing in, and the same wind will move those clouds away to give us a beautiful day.
It can be the wind that removes the “clouds” out of our lives so that others can more clearly see the brightness of the Light of the world shining in our lives.
You know, a dove is known for its speed. An eagle is known for its strength. It is much better for us not to pray for a speedy deliverance, but for the strength to wait on the Lord. If we have only enough strength to look up (like the children of Israel in the wilderness when they were bit by the serpent, and only had to look up at the brazen serpent to be saved), then we are waiting on the Lord and HE will renew our strength. We have to desire His help though.
Every time I look at birds flying now, especially as spring is just around the corner and they are more active, I am reminded to wait on my precious Savior. Not on my time table, but on what He knows will be fulfilled in my life. Not according to my demands, but according to His desires for my life. Not a bargaining chip, but a "though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." This is the wait. This is where true strength for this journey lies. Not in the human body, but in the heart of a believer.

When the race still lies before me,
And the wind is blowing strong;
When the witnesses surround me,
And my strength is almost gone.
When the valley plunges deeper,
And life shatters all my dreams,
Then I lift my voice to Jesus,
And He gives my spirit wings.

God give wings, God gives wings as eagles.
God gives wings to fly and strength
to rise above.
God gives wings, God gives wings as eagles.
When my feet begin to stumble,
And my dreams begin to crumble,
I mount up on eagle's wings.

Let us run the race with patience;
Let us lay each weight aside;
Looking only unto Jesus,
He shall be our faithful guide.
He has run the race before us,
He has won the victor's crown.
And He calls to every Christian,
"Follow me to higher ground."

God gives wings, God gives wings as eagles.
God gives wings to fly and strength to rise above.
God gives wings, God gives wings as eagles.
When my feet begin to stumble,
And my dreams begin to crumble,
I mount up on eagles wings.
I mount up on eagle's wings!
~ Ron Hamilton