Topic:    Realizing Your Identity
Text:      Isaiah 40:30-31
Preacher: Pastor Davies Otonye

Second Service

Some few things to note about the Isaiah 40:30-31 is the fact that: They who wait on the Lord, will have their strength renewed, not by their ability, or by their wisdom or how much they have been praying; but by the fact that they depend on God.  Secondly, they will run and not grow weary: meaning, the Lord will provide them with the strength to stand where they need to stand, to run where they need to run and to prevail over every adversity in their lives. Thirdly, they shall walk and not faint; meaning they shall go the distance. Fourthly, they shall mount up with wings, like the eagle; meaning they shall enjoy the eagle lifestyle.

My question from the above lesson is, why did the Lord choose the eagle? We’d be looking at some characteristics of the Eagle we need to understand as Christians.

i. The Eagle has a penetrating view of things. It sees beyond the surface. The eagle is a discerner; the eagle doesn’t just land anywhere. It takes its time to monitor the environment before it lands. The lesson for us here is that, we need the spirit of discernment to survive as Christian. We need to move by the leading of the Holy spirit. We must identify the true nature of things, such that we would know which is good and which is bad. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirit whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”

ii. Secondly, the Eagle mounts high: It always aims for the top. It goes for the top and is willing to confront every obstacle on its way. The eagle does not take half measure, it goes for the best. So, as Christians, we shouldn’t take half measures, we should go for excellence in our profession and our area of influence.

iii. The eagle does not eat dead things: The eagle feeds on fresh birds. So, as believers, we must avoid dead things; dead things are contaminated. We should avoid dead works. Dead works are works of self-righteousness and they lead to death because the works done by selfish motives is not unto God but for ourselves. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.

iv. An eagle does not fly with sparrows and ravens: It does not fly with other birds. It flies with its kind because they recognize and express their difference. They move among themselves, so that they can attain the height they want to attain. They don’t want to go below standards. As a Christian, you cannot go below the standard of God for you. Where you are supposed to be, should be the same place where those who have the same standard with you are. We must ensure that we are not in the level below where God wants us to be. Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”.

v. The eagle taste before it chooses: You don’t just go into association reluctantly as a Christian, else you will bring a reproach to God. For us, as ambassadors of Christ, we cannot afford to do certain things. We must thoroughly check whatever we want to involve ourselves in.

vi. Eagles sheds of their old feathers: The lesson for us as Christians is that, we should periodically access ourselves spiritually. A life that is not examined is not worth living. You cannot keep on assuming that all is well. You need to examine yourself. Maybe, from time to time, you begin to pick up a new habit. You should examine and amend your ways by taking action.

vii. The Eagle is courageous: The eagle is the only bird that celebrates when there is a storm. It soars and glides through the storm whenever the storm shows up. The lesson for us here as Christians is that we shouldn’t give up during challenges; rather the challenges should make see how big God is and the possibilities that can come from God. We must realize that God is able to do all things. What we need to do as Christians whenever there is a challenge, is to hang-on because help is on the way.

viii. The eagle prepares itself and its young ones for life situation. As a Christian, we must know that the journey we are in, is not a bed of roses. Anybody who tells you that the race is a bed of roses, is teaching a wrong doctrine. The eagle doesn’t run away from trouble, rather it faces it without fear. You need to realize your identity and leave every wrong environment.

Conclusion

The Promise in Isaiah 40:30-31 is for those who have a relationship with God. If there is no relationship, there will be no waiting. You can’t wait for someone that is not expecting you. Without a relationship, your waiting is futility. Hence you need to secure and have a strong relationship with God.

Prayer Point

• Father Lord, I beg you to deliver me from dead works in the name of Jesus.
• Father Lord, help me to realize my identity and give me the grace to occupy the position you want me to be
• Father, enable me to do that which is right and live a life worthy of my calling as a Christian.