Soar Like Eagles
Opening Prayer
Pray that God will show you something new about himself and about your own life today.
Read Isaiah 40:12-31
[12] Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? [13] Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? [14] Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? [15] Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. [16] Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. [17] Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. [18] With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? [19] As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. [20] A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. [21] Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? [22] He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. [23] He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. [24] No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. [25] “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. [26] Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. [27] Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? [28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but 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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What new or striking thing(s) do you learn about God here?Imagine how small and vulnerable God’s people must feel in the face of the powerful rulers and the nation that holds them captive. Their strength, energy and confidence must be at rock bottom. But it’s time for his people to start focusing more on God, on who he really is. They should look up rather than around, and overcome the temptation to forget. It’s simply crazy to forget how great God is. There’s simply no comparison between the Lord and the false, wooden gods of the surrounding nations (18). Try summing up in short phrases how the following verses describe the Lord: 12,13,14,15,16,17; vs. 18-20; vs. 22-24. Rather than cherished lambs (11), we may feel like very frail, vulnerable and invisible ones. But keep one final image in your mind’s eye–you or your church as a strong eagle, rising up on the wind, handling all that life throws at you. To find strength in your weariness, focus on what the Lord is really like. Know that our Servant God hasn’t forgotten you–he’s coming now to lift you up.
Apply
Recall now some ways God has been good to you, rescued you, cared for you. What tempts you to forget?
Closing prayer
Mighty Lord and God, what an amazing, awesome God You are! May I never, ever forget that–or forget to thank You for it.
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