Isaiah 40:31
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
E: enlighten your life in Christ
A: activate your gift
G: giving our body as a living sacrifice
L: limitless God
E: everlasting life in Christ
Praise the Lord! I give God thanks for you today! We thank God for bringing us through another week!! The Lord our God is truly a good father!! For despite living in this world, He promised His followers, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). I love the Apostle Paul, who constantly encouraged all the churches, especially in challenging times. Paul said to the Church of Corinth, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (1 Corinthians 4:8-10). In last week’s devotional we were encouraged to know that we are important, necessary, and VALUED. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I pray that we all will “Be like an E.A.G.L.E.”
The Book of Isaiah (40-48) contain promises of redemption and deliverance from suffering. Israel had nearly given up hope, thinking God had abandoned them, yet Isaiah gives light at the end of the tunnel. Isaiah 40:27-31 states, “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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” (ESV). As we seek to grow deeper in the Lord, this is a beautiful reassurance, knowing that our savior will cause us to mount up on eagles’ wings. Isaiah was known as the “EAGLE” eye prophet because he was able to see far into the future and the coming of Jesus. Therefore, being God’s mouthpiece, he said yes to the call (Isaiah 6), to speak to the people of Israel. Isaiah decided to be like an EAGLE, reaching the ultimate goal into a higher dimension.
According to “The Times of Israel” by Yossi Feintuch, the eagle is an admirable bird which is written in the Old Testament as a symbol or analogy 28 times. The Hebrew word for eagle is nesher, representing God and his loving care towards Israel. Exodus 19:4, states “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (ESV). I can recall watching the discovery channel learning that baby eagles depend on their parents for everything, just as how children of God need to depend on the LORD. The young ones, imitate the adult birds and stay close to their nest until they’re able to survive on their own. Without a safe place the Eaglet won’t learn how to fly. The Lord, desires for us to imitate Him by spending time with God by reading His word, seeking Him in prayer and seeking His will. Proverb 3:5-8, gives us perfect insight, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones” (NLT).
The Word of God, is the captain for our destiny in this life; For “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT). During Bible College, one of my favorite classes was “leadership development”. we learned about the 7 dimensions in the Apostolic Church, that leaders must function in, in order to fulfill God’s assignment. I would love to share these dimensions as noted below:
1st dimension: It is living without true purpose (It becomes destructive because, like a snail, all that is seen is a slow movement from point A to B with no vision of anything beyond).
2nd dimension: Life consist of what is in it for me (This dimension knows nothing about giving, sharing, and sowing).
3rd dimension: Life is like a cube with a lid. (This person knows the 1st & 2nd dimension is abnormal, however the danger is that he believes all other dimensions are abnormal. They stay in the little cube separated from others) The scribes and pharisees were 3rd dimensional.
4th dimension: The lid is removed in this dimension- seeing and entering into the kingdom. They go beyond third dimensional living. Jesus challenged the disciples at the 3rd dimension to go to the next level (the Day of Pentecost blew the lid off to get to this dimension).
(The 4th dimension is seen at creation, on the Day of Pentecost, and must be in today’s church)
5th dimension: Progressive growth occurs due to a rhythm of development and expanded vision that is aligned with the creative word of God. (there is no way to shrink back to lower dimension without deep frustration and tension).
6th dimension: This dimension is the first and greatest commandment God is calling us to live in. 1st love God with all your heart and the 2nd commandment is to love your neighbor. We all have imperfection and flaws, but love overlooks for a higher call. A revival that cannot be contained will occur when the church gets absolutely intoxicated with the Love of God?
7th dimension: This dimension is our ultimate GOAL! It is about perfect oneness with God. It will not be reached until we are resurrected and become one with Him.
The prophet Isaiah exceeded the 4th dimension as he obeyed the commission to go with the Spirit of the Lord upon Him and the Word of God. He exemplifies a true leader who is familiar with the importance of obeying the voice of the lord. This is revealed in Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I; send me” (KJV). Just like Isaiah, this is the response the Lord is expecting from us as His followers to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). The Bible tells us in John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (KJV).
Let our hearts prayer and desire be to become an E.A.G.L.E! and exceed the 4th dimension to a higher call in the Lord Jesus.
(Please read the scriptures throughout for deeper understanding)
Proverbs 3:11
“My child, don’t reject the lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.”
Prayer:
Dear ABBA,
I pray our hearts will be like an EAGLE as We desire to ENLIGHTEN ourselves with your Holy Word. Ignite our spirit!! We are hungry and thirsty for more of you and less of us. Have your way in us oh Lord. ACTIVATE your gift that lives within our souls. Give us a heart after your own heart as we die daily GIVING our mind, body, and soul to you oh LORD. Help us not to place you in a box for you are a LIMITLESS God of the universe. For you came and sent your son Jesus Christ to die on Calvary’s cross that we can have EVERLASTING LIFE and have it more abundantly in heaven with you. So here we are Lord, we desire to reach to the seventh dimension-resurrected in perfect oneness with you! AMEN.
References:
McLaughlin, Carl. Leadership Development-Student Manual: Lufkin, TX: Texas Bible College, 2023.
Recommended book to Read:
Gleason, Stan. Follow to lead-The Journey of a disciple maker: Weldon Spring, MO: Word Aflame Press, 2016.
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