Tag: eagle

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

On eagles’ wings

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Rachel McDermott on Unsplash

This time through the bible I paused at Exodus 19:4.

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

I wondered, “Where did the metaphor of ‘eagles’ wings’ come from?” What did that mean to the nation of Israel? And what does it mean for us?

Another “eagle wing” reference is found in Isaiah 40:31.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

The imagery is also expressed in Deuteronomy 32:10-11.

In a desert land he found him,
    in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him;
    he guarded him as the apple of his eye,
like an eagle that stirs up its nest
    and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
    and carries them aloft.

From what I’ve read, the idea of eagles’ wings is an image of secure transport, lifting someone above obstacles and dangers. God displayed his power in various plagues to secure Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. As eagles seem to effortlessly ride updrafts, barely moving their wings, so God carries us through life’s challenges and difficulties. He’s our safety net, as an eagle might catch its young learning to fly.

A few weeks ago, I saw an eagle flying overhead with a fish in its talons. What a great image and reminder that we have a God who picks us up and carries us far above everything that saps our joy to abundant life!

Posted in Life

I want to fly like an eagle

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
View all responses

When I sat down to write my answer, I immediately thought, “Well, of course, a dog.” I’m a big dog fan. On further reflection, I am more like a bird.

I’m an early bird. I love getting up early. I love walking the dogs as the sun is coming up. And I want to sing just like the birds who are so vocal as the sun begins to touch the dark morning sky. It’s noisy just before dawn, and I love to whistle back to the owls, mourning doves, cardinals, bluebirds, and mockingbirds as best I can. They know I’m not really a bird. But it’s fun to join in their antiphonal call and response.

I also notice things. Birds are always watching. Their heads turn to watch me, notice me, and fly if I get too close. I like to watch. Observe. See who’s around. Notice what’s there and what’s not in the picture. Move from place to place. Watching. Singing. Flying.

And soaring. I don’t relate to just be any bird. Hawks and eagles circle from above and get to see everything below. What a vantage point! I could see so much from up there. I would love to ride the updrafts with them.

I love dogs. And I would be a good dog. But I’m more like a bird. Does that count as an animal?

Posted in Nature

Welcome to the neighborhood

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Not the eagle we saw, but pretty close. Photo by Ivan K. Fox on Unsplash

A week ago, I helped my youngest and her family move out of their home into a temporary place while their new home is being built this summer. It was an atypical move since they had sold or given away a lot of their furniture. But there were plenty of boxes to keep everyone busy.

About halfway through unloading the first trailer load, someone looked up and said, “Quick, everyone come out here. Look, it’s a bald eagle!” The bird was sitting atop a thirty-foot-high scrub pine tree right behind their home. We watched for a few minutes to see if a mate might be nearby, but he or she didn’t join us.

This temporary home is next to a large pond, not far from a popular nesting area in a state park. When you’re looking for them, bald eagles make themselves scarce. Even when we go to the zoo, they often hide from the crowds. I love catching a glimpse of these beautiful birds who are willing to share their home with us here in northeast Florida.

Posted in Ministry

First look at Sunday, February 8

Posted on by William Douthwaite

bald_eagle_soaringThe Old Testament text is Isaiah 40:21-31, ending up with the familiar (at least familiar to me) “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”

Isaiah reminds his readers that God can pretty much handle everything.  From His perspective “above the circle of the earth,” earthly princes and rulers don’t present much of a challenge to Him.He never loses track of the stars, so why would you think that He doesn’t care about you?

There’s the challenge.  It’s easy to feel like God either doesn’t know or doesn’t care about your situation.  If He did, He’d act, right?  He’d do something.

The idea of waiting for the Lord is then tied to mounting up with wings like eagles.  Eagles can catch an updraft and soar for hours, not expending, but regaining energy.  What updrafts can we catch so that we aren’t killing ourselves trying to do everything and make things work out?  When might it be better to wait and trust the Lord rather than try harder?