We’re back in Isaiah for our first reading today. The final verse in today’s reading is Isaiah 40:31. I’ll talk about it in a moment. Our Gospel passage today is a short one, from Matthew 11. Jesus tells the people, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” A great reminder for us that when the troubles of the world are bearing down on us, we can truly find rest in Jesus.
“They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” I know so many people for whom this verse has been a life saver. We hear in the Scriptures often of the need for persistence. And this verse really gives us a sense of that. But it also conveys the truth of where that persistence comes from. Hint: it doesn’t come from us.
Have you ever looked on in awe at an eagle in flight, soaring above the earth? I know I have. To me that seems like the greatest of freedom. Total exhilaration. It’s the same feeling we get when we put our hope in the Lord. When we give our lives up to God, there is nowhere He can’t take us! But…a word of caution: There will always be those who do not want you to soar; those who will try to hold you back and keep you down. Beware of them. Always remember – you can’t soar with the eagles if you’re hanging around with chickens and turkeys.
Father, help us today and every day to put our trust and our hope in you alone, that we may soar as on eagles’ wings. Amen.
0 comments