Isaiah 40:31 “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.”
I have had a fascination with airplanes and aviation about as far back as I can remember. Although I never did pursue a pilot’s license, this area of interest led to a hobby of building and flying various model aircraft.
My brothers and I quite enjoyed learning to fly small, gas-powered line control airplanes and later, we graduated to building and flying remote control gas-powered models. Constructing these airplanes certainly added to the challenge and the thrill of the whole experience. One of the primary building components included very light balsa wood and various types of fast-drying adhesives.
The construction process involved a certain amount of precision so that the aircraft would fly straight and true. Learning to fly a remote-controlled airplane for us included a good amount of trial and error, so a damaged airplane at the end of the day was quite common.
A fitting word of consolation and encouragement at those times seemed very appropriate and served to keep up the morale of an aspiring pilot.
I understand that early aviators and aircraft designers gathered valuable information by simply watching, observing birds in flight and their flight characteristics. The expertise and technology that goes into commercial airplanes these days is remarkable. We have come so far from the early days of flight which also included a good amount of trial and error.
You may have a particular interest in certain birds or bird species. One for me includes eagles and specifically bald eagles.
I think it is of interest to note that the author of Isaiah 40:31 makes reference to eagles. This verse is apparently directed at those who are willing to put their hope or their trust in the Lord.
The writer goes on to say that the benefits of learning to trust God include renewed strength, and an ability to “soar on wings like eagles.” This verse further promises strength beyond our own, to “run and not grow weary… and to walk and not be faint.”
We all encounter situations where we could use some help to mount up above our worries or concerns. Our Scripture text sounds like, with God’s help, we will be enabled to forge ahead in 2022 despite the challenges and in the middle of the opportunities that will come our way.
Pastor E. Reimer, Kola Church
