Wait. Hope. Soar.

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

What an amazing word picture, the rising and soaring and then the flight!  Yet this beautiful picture can get lost in the literal translation.  The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) translates, “They shall put forth new feathers like eagles.”  The mature eagle molts his old feathers and new ones grow in their place. (See note below)  Renewed feathers, means renewed strength. The feathers are not grown over night, there is a ‘waiting’ process, but in this waiting there is HOPE.  When the new feathers come in – there is literally a ‘mounting up’, suggesting movement from a lower to a higher place.  As the eagle makes his ascent, he spreads out those lovely strong feathered wings, seeking the wind current and SOARS!

THIS is what God wants of us! Some of us have ruffled feathered wings and lookin pretty tattered, and some – well – they are just plain GONE! When we have lost our strength, no longer have the means to soar, we wait… we HOPE … IN HIM.  We then are like the eagle, we are given new feathers, new strength.

Paul says to the Colossians: “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy.” (1:11)  Endurance is the ‘bearing up under’ in circumstances motivated by HOPE.  Patience is the forbearance with people, motivated by MERCY.

Do you sense a lil molting, God removing with divine intent to replace? Do you need movement in your spiritual life?

Wait. Hope. Soar!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)