Have you ever accused God of paying no attention to you? Has God at times, seemed so preoccupied with other issues he gives little regard to you? In your darkest moments - what is your default position? Is it “God has forsaken me!” Or is it “God knows completely what He is doing!” (Psalm 119:67-68; 137) In Isaiah 40 the people of Israel kept telling themselves – over and over again – that God didn’t seem to even be aware of their troubles – and if he was, he didn’t care. God was indignant, and the prophet outraged at this kind of chatter! “You people of Israel, say, ‘God pays no attention to us! He doesn’t care if we are treated unjustly.” …or as the NIV renders it, “Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?” (v:27) Had not God proven his love and faithfulness to them in the past? Could he now no longer be trusted to be the Guide and Protector he had promised to be? God’s reply to them was swift and clear. It was in the form of another prickly question. “How can you say that? Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the eternal God. Creator of the earth. He never gets weary or tired; his wisdom cannot be measured.” And then he adds, “The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” (Isaiah 40:27b-31 CEV) In my brief study on eagles I learned: 1. Eagles were created to soar – high above hindering obstacles and natures enemies. 2. Their God-given system of air sacs, in addition to their small lungs, help them to breathe easy and maximize oxygen for long and lofty flights. 3. Eagles love solitude; mate for life; and enjoy family. 4. They eat only fresh food and leave the “garbage food” to scavenger birds like the vulture. 5. As a result, eagles seldom get sick and live long. 6. I also discovered that nature deals harshly with sick or wounded eagles. They become sitting ducks for enemies to take full advantage of them. Do you see the spiritual parallels? Like eagles, God wants us to soar. Those who have learned to soar in the upper air of heaven’s atmosphere, can rise above every challenge and difficulty life throws at them. (Romans 8:37-39) Those who wait in hope on HIM possess an inexhaustible source of God-given strength and joy. God’s desire for you and me is that we get off our safe but often boring perches and SOAR! Be blessed my friend. Glen (Pitts) The Barnabas Group (Loads of Love) Duet. 32:10-12; Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 40:1-5; 9-11; I Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 40:1-5
