May 21st – The Secret to Soaring

: God’s promise to us through the prophet Isaiah is that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! Soaring Like Eagles, Walking, Running, not fainting and actually gaining momentum and strength!

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] “They shall put forth fresh feathers like the molting eagle.”

It has been a common and popular opinion that the eagle lives and retains his rigour to a great age; and that, beyond the common lot of other birds, he moults in his old age, and renews his feathers, and with them his youth.

The Eagle is the most majestic bird in the sky, but something happens to all Eagles at least once in their lifetime, they molt.

*In the life of every Eagle, they will go through a molting process that can bring with it a great depression.

* This is a wilderness time that all eagles will face.

* Certain eagles live for about 30 years or more but then they begin to lose their feathers, Their beak and claws begin to alter as well.

*The experts tell us brothers and sisters that during this time, the eagle will walk like a turkey and they has no strength at all to fly.

* The molting eagle finds himself in the valley, unable to fly, with its feathers falling out.

* They lose their ability to see, as well, their vision weakens during this time.

* Calcium builds up on their beaks and they can’t hold their heads up. Now this is so traumatic, to the proud majestic birds that Eagles truly are.

* They lose their desire to eat, they only eat fresh meat and they have no strength to hunt.

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One writer, with knowledge of these things states…

“It is a most pathetic sight to see. Four or five eagles molting in the valley, where they once would only soar over to look for fresh kill. But, If they don’t renew, they will die. ”

: The Problem is that we don’t like or want to wait!

I don’t know anyone who likes to wait. Do you? (I didn’t think so). Waiting is hard work and, at times, can even test our faith. It’s especially difficult when there are no guarantees that our waiting will ever end in this lifetime. Desires we long for, prayers we’ve been praying, and news we are waiting to hear can tempt us to be impatient, discouraged, to worry, and even to wonder if God really cares.

: Tom Petty wrote a song entitled, “The Waiting” which repeats over and over, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part.”

: What does the Bible have to say about waiting? Perhaps this is why the Bible talks so much about waiting. God wants us to know that waiting is far from a passive activity in which we do nothing. In fact, Scripture teaches us that 

 Waiting strategically can cultivate good fruit in in our lives such as patience, perseverance, and endurance. It also draws us closer to our Savior and points those who are watching us to the gospel.

: How we should deal during the tough/waiting times:

: Have you ever felt like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Perhaps, like me, you have prayed for years about a concern, but God has seemed silent. That’s where God demonstrated his love and mercy towards us.

The cross is our guarantee that God is for us and is committed to give us everything we would ask for if we knew everything he knew. We can be content with that and wait patiently for his answers.

: The second thing we can / should do during our ‘waiting time’ is to watch with expectancy.

While God has been faithful to answer many of my prayers, it’s often been in far different ways than I would have anticipated! God knows that the only way to do what he and I both desire will, at times, involve varying degrees of discomfort in my life.

We can be tempted to put our hope in things that may disappoint us in the end. We can hope a doctor will heal us, a teacher will pass us, a spouse will love us, our employer will reward us, or a friend will help us. But it is only when we put our hope in Christ that we can wait with confidence and know we will not be put to shame.

: What makes us think that we know better than he does what is best for us? Seasons of waiting reveal where we are placing our trust.

It is easy to say we trust God, but our response to delays, frustrations, and difficult situations exposes where we are actually placing our hope.

When my focus is on my problems and what God has or has not given me, I am prone to grumbling, complaining, discontentment, bitterness, and selfishness. When I define goodness by what brings me the most comfort, happiness, and gratification 

, then anything that threatens these things will tempt me to question God’s love and goodness.

Thankfully, the gospel assures us, as believers, that God is for us and works all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

During long (or even short) seasons of waiting, our hearts will be encouraged to remember that the best is yet to come! One day sin will be no more! We will be free from self’s demands and temptations and experience everlasting joy. So,

Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4)

: Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles Spurgeon, counseled her own heart with these words:

The Lord has strewn the pages of of God’s Word with promises of blessedness to those who wait for Him. And remember, His slightest Word stands fast and sure; it can never fail you. So, my soul, see that you have a promise underneath thee, for then your waiting will be resting and a firm foothold for your hope will give you confidence in Him who has said, ‘They shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.’”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land; But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” Christ is the answer! He is your rest and the treasure that you seek.

Wait for the Lord.