Last week, we looked at Isaiah 40:31 which tells us, ‘Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles’ (Isaiah 40:31 NIV). We started to look at some of the characteristics of the eagle that can help all of us in our Christian walk to go to higher levels by soaring on wings like eagles. So today, let’s focus on three more characteristics in readiness to embrace an unprecedented move of God:

• Eagles are fearless

You’ll find that an eagle is fearless and will never yield to whatever challenges it may face; even the size or strength of its prey will not deter it. It fights to win, not to capitulate. This reminds me of this statement made by Napoleon Hill: ‘a quitter never wins and a winner never quits!’
Can I suggest, although in no doubt Satan is the fierce Enemy of our souls and will bring all kinds of challenges to hinder God’s intention for us to reach new levels, we need to be aware that also our greatest enemy very often is ourselves, allowing us to be crippled by fear that negates our faith. Although faith is not the absence of fear, but the mastering of it, let’s stand on God’s Word that declares ‘who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 NIV). So, like the eagle, face your problems face on, ‘BE FEARLESS,’ and never forget our Almighty God is on your side and will help you by His Holy Spirit to reach levels beyond your expectations.

• Eagles are courageous

Eagles may seem shy and avoid people and other threats, however, don’t be deceived: if an eagle has to protect itself and their family, they will display their courage at its best and demonstrate their power to fight. In life we also face obstacles that seem bigger than we can cope with, however, remember God’s Word to Joshua ‘be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9 NIV). If there was a time where we needed to stand and be courageous it is now! So today, BE COURAGEOUS FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU!

• Eagles embrace a personal renewal/revival

When eagles reach the age of 40 years, they become weak and their survival becomes challenging. If they choose the path to regain their strength they have to go through a process of rebirth. They retire to a lonely place for five months where they undergo a painful process which concludes with them having a new beak, new talons and new feathers. This process brings a renewal and extends their life by up to 30 years.

What an important lesson for us today! Life will take us through times of pain which will reshape us in readiness for us to experience the promise of an unprecedented move of God. But we must be willing to embrace a renewal in the Holy Spirit, which is a personal revival, and that will mean we need to change our habits and leave our comfort zone and sometimes even to go a step further: that is having to die to self, allowing us to start a renewed life full of the Holy Spirit, strength and wisdom, to fulfil our God-given assignment.

In conclusion: If we are to endure these very challenging days, let’s be like the eagle: FEARLESS, and remember that God is bigger and more powerful than anything we might fear. Let’s not allow fear to hold us back from doing His will. We cannot only trust God in the absence of fear but rather trust Him despite fear. With God by your side, you can be fearless as well as being COURAGEOUS. Know that God will not fail you or forsake you as you step in faith in what He has called you to do. In these times of shaking, remember that politicians may be able to change laws but they can’t change hearts, and for true revival to happen there must be a change of heart. Only the work of the Holy Spirit has the power to transform lives. So today, be FEARLESS, COURAGEOUS and be RENEWED in hope, which is a joyful expectation that something good is about to happen. And –

NEVER FORGET

‘Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.’ (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

• You are the eagle
• The wings of the eagles represent your faith and trust in God
• The wind currents that the eagles fly on represent the Holy Spirit