Anglican Morning Devotion for 22 April 2021 Anno Domini
A Ministry of the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:4-5*)
What a wonderful illustration! The Lord God brought Israel out of Egypt with a strong, out-stretched arm. He baptized the entire nation in the Red Sea and both followed, and led, them in a Pillar of Fire by Night, and a Pillar of Cloud by day.
The Lord often compares His people and His works to that of an Eagle. The eagle flies higher than all birds, can see further, is fast and sure in its descent to the prey, eats only that which it kills, builds its nest on high.
We are told in Isaiah that the chosen one of God shall renew their strength as the eagle does. How is that? “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.” (Isaiah 40:31) Who does this mean?
When in mid-life, the Eagle will often become depressed and linger in the valley until it can no longer fly or seek larger prey. He will eat insects and field mice to survive. But after long days of delay in the valley, one day the Eagle awakens to who he is. In disgust of himself, he leaves the valley, climbs the mountain slope back to his highland home on the rock. His beak has become coated with large chunks of calcium which he pounds against a stone until clear; he then pulls all of his feathers out. In the process of time, new and beautiful feathers appear, and the Eagle then soars on high where God intended him to be.
The Christian life may be compared to that of the Eagle. There are times when life is hard and we feel as though we can no longer carry on. We sink into a valley of despair. But one day, we are reminded of our former joys in Christ. We bathe, comb our hair, dress in our best attire, and go out conquering the elements of life.
But why does the Lord use the term ‘On Eagles’ Wings, to describe how He brought the Children of Israel out of bondage? It is because the Eagle does not carry its young by its talons which are so strong that the young one could be crushed – the Eagle carries her young on her back as she flies. If the archer should shoot an arrow at the Eagle, the arrow would strike the mother Eagle first and spare her offspring.
This is a beautiful picture of how our Lord Jesus Christ suffered the pains of death for us – He died first that we might live last with Him in Eternity.
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:2-3)
If you are feeling despondent and sorrowful over that which you lack, consider that which you have that remains your heritage in Eternity. As long as life and faith continue, you will always have more than that which you lack – love, joy, assurance, salvation, inward peace, HOPE, etc.
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” (Hebrews 6:18-19)
*All scripture quoted is from the King James Version
