“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Exodus 19:4 NIV

On Eagles’ Wings

Years ago, I was studying the book of Exodus, and I came upon Exodus 19:4. Instead of taking comfort in God’s words to the Israelites, “I carried you on eagles’ wings,” my first thought was, “That’s probably not what it felt like to the Israelites.” I thought about the Israelites being chased down by Pharaoh, and the fact that before God parted the Red Sea, there was no way they could possibly have escaped the approaching angry army. Before they saw the rescue, they must have been terrified.

I thought about how they grumbled and complained against God at various times and for various reasons during their time of wandering in the desert. They had been set free from slavery, and yet they remembered Egypt fondly. Their experience in the wilderness probably felt more like endlessly walking through a dry, lifeless wasteland with no natural water sources. This felt like hard work. And yet God called this “being carried.”

I think about my own life and where I am now; how did I get here? It often feels like it would have been impossible for me to walk here on my own. I think about places from which I have come; things I have wandered through. I didn’t see it this way at the time, but in the light of perspective, it now looks like I was carried.

This morning, I watched a bird in flight. Contrary to how birds are often depicted, the flight of the bird was not gentle. At times, the bird appeared to be soaring, but then wind knocked the bird’s balance and it had to right itself with a rapid flap-flap-flap. I watched it land. The branch swayed roughly back and forth until finally settling. The process of flying to a branch and landing had been rough.

I think that we hear “I carried you on eagles’ wings” and assume that means it’s all going to be smooth sailing; effortless; blissful. But often it is not. We may experience a rough ride. “Rough” doesn’t mean we weren’t carried. We only ever landed anywhere because God loved us too much to leave us to our own travel devices.

So the next time you read the verse, “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” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV), remember that these words do not promise ease. They only promise wings.

I have a feeling we are all being carried farther and more often than we ever realize.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for carrying us more often than we ever know. You take such great care of Your children. Help us not to grumble and complain along the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.