Rays of Hope

A Book of Encouragement

Learning to Fly

  "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him." Deut. 32:11, 12. The beautiful illustration here cited is taken from the habits of the eagle and the manner in which she teaches her young to fly. The eagle often builds her nest on the rocky edge of some precipice or canyon. When her eaglets are of sufficient age to exercise their wings, she does not leave them to the ignoble ease that they would perhaps prefer. No; she would teach them self reliance, so she "stirreth up her nest." She stirs it until an eaglet falls out and goes tumbling, dashing, flopping down toward the depths below. She does not leave him, however, to the fate that he might think would shortly be his, to dash his life out against the rocks below; for, though the young one does not perceive it, the old bird "fluttereth over her young," and before the little one has done himself any harm, she glides beneath him, and she "taketh him and beareth him on her wings." She bears him to a greater height than the nest from which he was stirred. When he feels himself quite at ease and at rest on his mother's wings, by a sudden turn he is again thrown on his own resources. This exercise is repeated until his muscles have been strengthened and he has learned to bear himself on his own wings. How beautifully this illustrates the experience of a Christian! How very many would sit in the easy nest of superficial joy and emotion, fearing to launch out on the wings of faith over the great chasm of trials and responsibilities, if the Lord did not occasionally stir his nest! When you feel yourself sinking, sinking, down through the chasm of trials, responsibilities, and new experiences, remember that God hovers over His young and that before your tender life has been dashed out against the rocks below, which now engage your fearful sight. He will bear you on His wings. Do your best to fly, exercise the wings [82] (faith) you have, and thereby you will become strong. How encouraging it would be could you always realize that just above you were the strong paternal wings of your Father's protecting care! How much better would it be in the midst of your feeble efforts, to look above you than to look at the dizzy depths below. Remember "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10 :13. When your trial has accomplished God's design and your good, He will bear you on His wings. Thus, by proper exercise under the direction and the care of your loving heavenly Father, your faith will grow exceedingly.

  It is said of the eagle that she is able to rise entirely above a storm and that while the storm is raging below, she soars in the sunlight above. So you, dear reader, if you will patiently endure the trials of learning to fly, may renew your strength and mount up with wings as eagles. Isa. 40:31. While the storm beneath you is raging, you may, on wings of faith and in the strength of Jehovah soar in the sunlight of grace far above the storm and enjoy the atmosphere of heaven.

PROMISES TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME TRIALS

  "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue, neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and shine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to [83] thy grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Lo this, we have searched it so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good." Job 5 :17 27.

  "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10.

  "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." Prov. 3:11, 12.

  "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." Rev. 3:12.

  "Blessed is the man that endureth temptations: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." Jas. 1:12.[84]