On Eagles’ Wings

Isaiah 40:21-31 is a passage of hope.  It creates trust in God over and against any other source of help.  It draws a picture of the power of God’s movement in the midst of human history.  In order to do so, the writer draws sharp distinction between God and all these other sources that claim to have power or give life.  The writer clearly disputes the claims of these other sources and invites us as readers to do the wise thing by participating in God’s movement rather than trusting these other sources.  The “idols critique” is devastating:  princes come to naught and rulers are nothing (40:24); they wither and a whirlwind easily sweeps them away like chaff (40:25).  Nothing can compare with God (40:26).  He is the true Creator and the only One with power and strength (40:26).  We can trust Him.  He will not grow tired or weary (40:28).  Therefore, He is the only source of hope; the only One that can provide the weary and weak with wings like eagles (40:31).  Where do you and I put our hearts today?  Especially for those circumstances where we feel weakness and weariness?  Do we look somewhere else for help rather than getting on eagles’ wings?

Called by God to reflect His Light

It is common to interpret The Servant of the Lord passages in Isaiah as already a reference to the Christ as the coming Messiah and Servant of the Lord.  Isaiah 49:1-7 is a good example.  However, in the Old Testament it sometimes also refers to Israel as God’s people, and it is still relevant as a reference to us as God’s people in today’s world.  To be God’s servant starts with understanding yourself as being called by God to not only belong to Him, but also to be in His service (49:1-3).  It is not always easy to look at ourselves with the belief and confidence that God can actually use us in His service.  We tend to be intimidated by the limitations and darkness in our lives which make it difficult to think about ourselves as reflecting God’s light in the world (49:6).  Therefore, our first reaction is to think small and to make excuses (49:4).  And yet, all of that change when we realize that we are in the Lord’s hands (49:4) and that He will give me the strength that I need to be the person He wants me to be for the sake of His purposes in the world (49:5).  Let us look differently at ourselves today.  After all, we are the chosen people of a faithful God (49:7) that will receive from Him everything we need to be His witnesses wherever we go today.