Soaring on Wings Like Eagles

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) Dec 2007

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Maybe one or more of these: a self-fulfilling career, a happy family, a brilliant book, a magnificent painting, an awesome waterfall, a fun-filled vacation, an enthralling walk in a dewy meadow on sunrise. It may also be a leisurely stroll on a white, powdery beach where cold ripples tickle your bare feet, followed by a sublime, spectacular sunset over a breezy sea. Or, the genuine love of a spouse, of a fiancé or fiancée, or of a true friend.

Everyone truly needs an inspiration. Something to motivate him or her to live another day, to fight one more round, so to speak, and to reach a dream.

Christians today also find inspiration in the things mentioned above and even more, for there are other things that inspire them as taught in the Bible.

Shall renew their strength
God’s people are always inspired and enthusiastic in serving and worshiping Him. “Those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength” (Isa. 40:31, New King James Version). And though life on earth is a harrowing voyage, “they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31, New International Version)

With the coming of another year, the servants of God today know that the day of our Savior Jesus Christ’s return draws even closer as the signs of this great event foretold by Him have been seen (Matt. 24:3, 33, 6-11). Likewise, their salvation is coming soon. Looking back, they, too, went through the harsh realities of this passing year as the world continues to see a stifling inflation. Despite the gains of human knowledge, deep and unrelenting poverty still plagues a wide area. Images upon images of unblinking horror bombard the public eye as battles and conflicts continue to be waged and terrorists up the ante on their victims. Peace process collapse and tragedies, brought about by accidents, cyclones, and wild fires, strike at times when many are unprepared. Many lives have been cut down by a criminal’s knife, bullet, or bomb. Though many affluent people are luxuriously cocooned in comfort, the majority of the world’s population are hounded by problems that have gone from bad to worse, or that have defied solutions. But all these did not and will never prevent the true servants of God from serving Him as they untiringly wait for the Lord to bring their salvation.

‘We do not lose heart’
The hope and patience of God’s servants in waiting for salvation will not go in vain because of His help and guidance. God exhorts them:

“Take firm hold of instruction [God’s laws or commandments], do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

“I have thought you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.” (Prov. 4:13, 11-12, NKJV)

This is the equivalent of not growing weary and having strength that shall be renewed. Hence, happen what may in their lives, God’s people will still continue obeying His will and “soar on wings like eagles.” They look up to the Lord Jesus Christ, the epitome of complete obedience and submission to God’s will (Matt. 26:39, Ibid.).

Christ’s servants are also assured that they will be resurrected when He returns (John 6:39). And they have the hope for eternal life. Hence, though they go through hardships, they will never lose heart. In fact, the verses that speak of the quality that distinguishes those who truly wait in the Lord (“They shall renew their strength … They shall run but will not be weary”) find equivalence in this declaration of the true Christians:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (II Cor. 4:16, 8-9, NKJV)

Why can they renew their strength?
True Christians are not left alone in facing trials and problems as they wait for the Lord Jesus (John 14:18). The Savior who is always with them strengthens them that is why they can say: “… I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Cor. 12:10, NKJV).

The Lord Jesus strengthens the true Christians by means of His power that they receive especially during the congregational worship service (Matt. 18:20). This greatly inspires them and makes them ever enthusiastic in fulfilling their Christian duties amid troubles and hardships.

God’s servants also firmly believe that He helps His people in times of poverty (Ps. 40:17). He delivers them when they are beleaguered with danger, deep anguish, and serious problems. Hence, the following words are as true to them as when they were first spoken:

“The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by troubles and sorrow. Then I called on the name of LORD: ‘O LORD, save me! … For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling’.” (Ps. 116:3-4, 8, NIV)

God will do this to His people as long as they do not let sin hinder them from obeying His will (Heb. 12:1). He will also bless their sources of livelihood (Deut. 7:12-13). Hence, the fact that God grants the prayers of His people inspires them:

“… He heard us and saw our suffering, hardship, and misery. By his great power and strength he rescued us …” (Deut. 26:7-8, Today’s English Version)

Staying the course
No matter how formidable the odds may be, the true servants of God keep on trusting Him with their heartfelt conviction:

“Be confident, my heart, because the LORD has been good to me. The LORD saved me from death; he stopped my tears and kept me from defeat. And so I walk in the presence of the LORD in the world of the living. I kept on believing …” (Ps. 116:7-10, Ibid.)

“I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. … I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” (Ps. 118:13-14, 17, NIV)

Indeed, after offering a year-end thanksgiving to God, Iglesia ni Cristo members throughout the world continue to be inspired and strengthened as they tell themselves, “Stay the course!” With so great a Power behind them, they will remain unbowed by the weight of adversities, always praising God, always clinging to what He promised He will do.