The imagery of mounting up with wings like eagles is a powerful metaphor found in Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse promises that those who put their hope and trust in God will be strengthened and empowered to rise above obstacles and soar to new heights. Just as eagles effortlessly ride thermal winds high above the earth, believers who rely on the Lord can experience supernatural strength and stamina to fulfill their calling.
This article will explore the meaning behind this verse and the encouraging message it offers. We’ll examine the characteristics of eagles that make them an apt representation of mounting up spiritually. And we’ll see how believers can apply this promise to their lives, learning to soar in newfound strength by hoping in the Lord.
The Eagle as a Symbol of Strength and Renewal
The eagle is used frequently in Scripture as a symbol of power, wisdom, and renewal. In Exodus 19:4, God describes delivering Israel “on eagles’ wings” out of slavery in Egypt. Here, the eagle’s wings depict the swift and powerful way God freed his people from oppression.
Eagles are particularly known for their ability to grow new feathers and beak and talons as they age, renewing their strength (Psalm 103:5). After 30+ years, an eagle’s beak becomes so long that it can’t catch food, and its talons and feathers are worn out. Then the eagle retreats for 5 months, plucking out its worn feathers, beak, and talons. It waits patiently until new ones grow back stronger than ever. Then the renewed eagle returns to the heights.
This molting process is similar to a believer shedding old habits, mindsets, and weaknesses and putting on new spiritual strength and character. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Just as eagles renew their physical strength, Christians who hope in the Lord experience ongoing inner renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Soaring Above Trials and Weariness
The key to mounting up with wings like eagles is hoping in the Lord’s strength rather than our own. On our own, we eventually grow weary and overwhelmed by the challenges of life. But Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength to not only walk faithfully, but also to soar above trials.
Believers who hope in the Lord exchange their weakness for God’s power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Rather than striving in their own strength, they take flight on the strength of the Holy Spirit living within them. They rise above difficult circumstances through faith in Christ’s resurrection power and the promises of God’s Word.
This supernatural strength is depicted in the eagle’s ability to soar high and glide effortlessly for hours, even in turbulent winds. Eagles are designed with light, hollow bones and wings tailored to catch updrafts. As believers, we can be lifted by the breath of the Holy Spirit to overcome weariness and adversity.
Isaiah 40 compares mounting up with eagles wings to running without growing faint and walking without becoming weary. Together, these images convey that hoping in the Lord brings strength for both intense sprints and long-distance marathons of faith. For every season of life, God promises to renew our vigor and stamina.
Characteristics of Eagles That Represent Mounting Up
Let’s look closer at some key traits of eagles that make them an appropriate representation of the spiritual strength and renewal promised in Isaiah 40:31:
Vision: An eagle’s sharp eyesight represents a heavenly perspective. Eagles can see up to 3 miles away, discerning opportunities and obstacles from far off (Job 39:29). Believers are called to fix our eyes on the eternal instead of the temporal, setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2). As we focus on God’s promises and perspective, it lifts us above our circumstances.
Courage: An eagle will face storms head on, using turbulence to ascend higher. Likewise, by facing trials in God’s strength, believers grow in courage and hope (Romans 5:3-5). The wind of the Spirit gives us boldness to tackle challenges.
Swiftness: Eagles are designed for rapid flight, swiftly pursuing opportunities and escaping snares. In the strength of the Lord, believers can act decisively, unhindered by fear and indecisiveness. God promises to make our feet like the feet of a deer to walk and run upon the heights (Habakkuk 3:19).
Freedom: An eagle’s habit is to live and nest in high places of solitude and freedom. Through Christ, believers are set free from bondage to soar into the heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 2:6). He frees us from the weights that entangle so we can rise up in joyful freedom.
Power: Eagles have incredibly strong wings and talons. When the Holy Spirit lives in believers, Scripture says we’ll be clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). God doesn’t give us a spirit of weakness and fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7).
Tenacity: Eagles persistently pursue prey despite obstacles. They’ll keep flying into strong headwinds and repeatedly attempt to grab slippery fish with their talons before succeeding. As people of hope, believers demonstrate similar perseverance and tenacity to press on in the face of resistance.
Lifting Others: Eagles are the only birds powerful enough to lift heavy prey and even carry it back to the nest. As Christians, we are called to strengthen the weary and lift up the feeble (Isaiah 35:3-4). We can soar under the strength of God’s Spirit to support and encourage others.
As this overview demonstrates, the eagle is an appropriate symbol for the renewing strength and spiritual empowerment God promises believers who put their hope in Him. By reflecting on these eagle traits, we can gain greater insight into what it means to truly mount up with wings like eagles.
Active Steps to Mount Up Spiritually
Mounting up with eagles’ wings is an active process that requires cultivating our hope and reliance on the Lord. Consider these important steps:
Wait on the Lord: The key to mounting up is waiting on the Lord rather than rushing ahead in our own strength (Isaiah 40:31). As we intentionally spend time seeking God in His Word, in prayer, and listening for His voice, it renews our inner strength.
Hope in God’s promises: We must actively set our hope on the sure promises of Scripture – God’s purpose, plans, power, and sufficiency for everything we face. Regular meditation on God’s Word renews our mind and emboldens our faith.
Repent of self-reliance: To experience true renewal, we must repent and turn away from trusting in our own wisdom and abilities or looking to others humans for salvation. Only God’s strength lifts us up (Psalm 20:7).
Ask the Spirit to empower: Scripture tells us to ask for fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit who provides strength, revelation, and spiritual gifts for witnessing (Luke 11:13, Ephesians 5:18-21). We fly by the Spirit’s power within us.
Surround yourself with hope-filled believers: When we fellowship with other believers, it lifts our eyes from gloom to glory and renews our courage (Hebrews 10:24-25). Their faith and joy spreads to strengthen the entire Body of Christ.
Act in faith: If we remain perched in fear, we’ll never rise up. But taking active steps of faith in the power of Christ propels us forward. Boldly obeying God’s call renews our spiritual vigor.
As we actively wait on the Lord and put our complete hope in Him, He promises to renew our strength at just the right time. This empowers us to not only walk faithfully but also to soar and run with tenacious devotion to God’s calling.
Examples of Mounting Up in Scripture
Throughout Scripture, we see stories of believers who tapped into divine strength to rise up and accomplish God’s purposes:
David: As a shepherd boy, David mounted up in courage to face the giant Goliath. He prevailed because he went out “in the name of the Lord Almighty” not military might (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
Elijah: After Elijah became fearful and depressed, God renewed his strength to keep ministering. God revealed His mighty power through wind, earthquake and fire – then spoke gently to encourage weary Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-18).
Gideon: God called timid Gideon to lead an army against the vast Midianite forces. As Gideon waited on the Lord, he was empowered to boldly obey and rout the enemy with only 300 men (Judges 7:2-25).
Peter: When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he could even walk on water. But overcome by fear, he began to sink. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?'” (Matthew 14:22-33).
Paul: Despite beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments, Paul continued to powerfully advance the Gospel. His strength came from Christ living in him – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
These examples show how ordinary people tapped into supernatural strength by hoping fully in the Lord. God wants to renew our spiritual vigor as well. As we wait on Him, He promises to lift us up from weakness and weariness to soar like the eagles!
Mounting Up By God’s Strength in 2023
The promise of mounting up with wings like eagles is just as relevant today in 2023 as when Isaiah first penned these words. In our turbulent times, believers must learn to continually renew their strength in the Lord.
When we feel overwhelmed by economic woes, political unrest, relationship conflicts, health issues, or demands of life – remember that our helper is the all-powerful God of angel armies! By waiting and hoping in Him, He will lift us up over every obstacle to serve His Kingdom purposes. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:30-31).
No matter what storms we face in 2023, God is our mighty refuge (Psalm 46:1). As we fix our eyes on the majesty of Christ, we find the strength to walk through every valley and rise above every mountain. We can live boldly and courageously by relying on His grace and power working mightily within us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
By putting all our hope in the unfailing promises of Scripture, nothing can hinder us from fulfilling God’s calling. No raging storms or fiery trials can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). We will run with endurance the race God has set before us, soaring by the power of the Holy Spirit living within those who believe.
May we learn in new ways this year what it means to wait on the Lord so He can renew our strength to mount up with wings like eagles. By God’s mighty power, you can rise above any adversity you face. Let Him lift you to soar in 2023!