On Eagles Wings
(Read Psalm 46)
Back in October we wrote about losing our self-righteousness and abandoning our pride as pointed out in Psalm 46. This Psalm also speaks about a bigger aspect that God offers; His shelter. God offers us permanent refuge, strength, and 24/7 assistance in times of trouble. A few weeks ago, a long-time friend of our son sat down with me on her visit and shared her beliefs.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3
King David most likely wrote this Psalm. He was blessed with the splendor of momentous military political victories and abysmal tragedies. David understood the awesome power and shelter from God. He wasn’t saying that God would pave an easy life for us. He wasn’t saying that there would be no challenges, pain, or fear. He was saying, imploring us to remember that God “IS” an ever-present safe haven. He was saying that God “IS” and always will be with us.
The young woman I interviewed, AB, is a high school teacher and field hockey and tennis coach. She is balanced, wise beyond her years, and one of the best communicators I know. While in high school, AB experienced a life-changing tragedy when her Dad died unexpectedly and suddenly one morning before work. They were an extremely close and loving family. We got to know them thanks to a multitude of games in high school sports.
AB told me that she couldn’t pinpoint a specific event that pointed to her first experience of God. “But from my youngest days, I recall seeing the love pouring out of my family exemplifying the love of Christ. The way love was manifested in my family and in other people, God clearly shined through them.”
Growing up in a traditional denominational church made worshipping an expected routine for AB. “My Mom was always more religious than my Dad, but both parents agreed to raise us according to the pillars of Christianity,” she continued. “I felt that it was a privilege to take my first Communion. I felt the specialness of the tradition but sensed something bigger.” Then, she learned something more specific to her faith journey. “My 3rd grade Sunday school teacher taught us that we could have a personal relationship with God. She also showed us about praying and thinking about God.”
As she matured, so did her faith experiences. “I remember the overwhelming potency of the Adoration. It was a big time communal expression at the Altar worshipping the Body of Christ. I felt fully invested in my faith. It was way more than just a ritual,” she declared.
How has the presence of God affected your life, I asked. “I have always been moved by the power of God.” She then admitted, “The death of my father changed my outlook on my faith. It made me question more. Why could He do something like this to my Dad? In some ways, it has made me feel more distant to God, but on the other hand, God is a conduit to my Dad, so it is comforting knowing my Dad is in Heaven. It’s a warm, welcoming place.”
I felt a huge tinge of sadness as she unraveled this to me. I remember her Dad well and his impact on family, friends, and the community. I felt empathy for her. There were encouraging things I wanted to share, but my task was listening to and telling her story. If I were to have shared my understanding with her, I might have told her that we don’t know the reason God allows suffering, but we know what it isn’t and what it can’t be. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us, that he doesn’t care, or that he doesn’t understand. He does, all three. It’s often a very understandable mistake to think that if we abandon our belief in God, somehow it’s is going to make our problem easier to tolerate.
There was a hint of sparkle in her eyes as we went further into her interview. We moved past the pain of loss into her Christ-like positivity. This girl is one of the nicest, gentlest, most patient people you will ever meet. She told me that St. Anthony was her favorite Saint. He is viewed around the world as the patron saint for the recovery of lost items. He is credited with many miracles involving lost people and lost things. This revelation didn’t surprise me. It fits her personality of wanting to help, heal, and improve everyone she encounters.
I asked AB if she has a favorite verse, chapter, Psalm, or a favorite Hymn. Without blinking an eye, she retorted, “On Eagles Wings. I’m not sure if it’s even a Hymn,” she added, “but the song and words really speak to me.”
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand
On Eagles Wings
Rev. Derrick Harkins of the 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. delivered a memorable message on an anniversary of 9/11. He linked the horrific events of that day to David’s message from Psalm 46. He said, “I talked about the fact that the Bible doesn’t talk about the absence of calamity, but God promises his presence in trying times. September 11 was not the first, and sadly it will not be the last time we will see inhuman acts, but we always can depend on God’s presence when tragedy strikes.” Rev. Harkins summed up with the fact that God has not failed us. “He has promised to be with us in the middle of tragedy. We sometimes think that when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances that God has abandoned us, but this is not the case.”
AB is a wonderfully open and accepting soul. “My knowledge about Jesus Christ allows me to reflect upon things I’ve done,” she said. We talked about how we can all be more Christlike. “I have to be good and patient, being loving to all.” Inside my mind, I chuckled, thinking wow — you already are.
She exposed a Christlike quality to me with her explanation of hope. “I love seeing the good in people. Everyone goes through ebbs and flows. Seeing how people, and especially kids, can change is so uplifting.”
I always am curious as to what a believer says to a non-believer in an open discussion about God. While only the Holy Spirit will lead someone to Christ, it still can be a pivotal time in someone’s life if they’re ready to take the step. With her vintage gentle and patient wisdom, AB said, “I don’t try to change what people believe. I encourage people to ask questions and seek knowledge.” I could hear the fruit of her spirit in her next statement, “You need to believe in something to have a starting point. It provides perspective. We should have a foundation of something.”
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11
In this passage David is telling us not to stop living. God doesn’t want us to stop our lives, He wants us to know who He is. As He promised, He will lift us up to Him on eagles’ wings or anything else. He lifts us up not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross we get to see that God knows pain as much as we do.
AB will never be the kind of believer who hits people over the head with her beliefs, she simply shows what Christ looks like in her life. In her, Christ is a loving, smiling force that looks outward to help and nurture others.
For the majority of our conversation, I felt that she was more comfortable downplaying her faith. She told me that it is there inside her, but that she’s just not outwardly showy about it. If I wasn’t so keen on hearing her story, I might have told her that I think that’s perfectly fine. The most important thing is that AB knows who her Savior is. She sees God as her rock. She sees God’s kingdom as a real place, a perfect place where we will be connected with our loved ones forever.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:1-5
Key Applications:
- Read Psalm 46. Do you feel hope from this passage? If you were forced to walk into a pitch black tunnel, wouldn’t it be more doable, if someone was walking with you? Aren’t all struggles easier when someone else is with you? Allow Jesus to carry your burdens. Ask him to.
- Do you have a favorite piece of scripture or song? See if you can determine why it’s your favorite. Allow it to cover you. Dig into the melody and the lyrics and listen for God’s voice.
- Now, be still and listen. Don’t be passive or lazy. Just stop being so busy and prideful. Give control to God. Try not to get bogged down in proving you’re right on your job, in political discussions, or even in religious debates. Just be right about how you stand with Jesus Christ. Pray for Christ to enter your life and allow you to pour him out in everything you do.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.