THE EAGLE

The eagle, “the monarch of the skies,” is mentioned over 30 times in the Bible.  One reference tells us that eagles push their young out of the nest to teach them to fly.  At first they are all flap and no fly but a parent bird swoops underneath and keeps carrying the eaglets back to the nest on their wings until they learn.  [ Deuteronomy 32:11 ]

Sometimes God, “the Monarch of the universe,” disturbs our comfortable nest as he did with a certain John Ryle in 1841 when he was 35.  His father was a wealthy MP but suddenly he became bankrupt.  The shock hit the family like a thunder bolt and when the thousand acre estate was sold John was left with nothing.  Wisely he rested himself on these words of Scripture, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [ Romans 8:28 ]  As he prayed for guidance he knew God wanted him to be in the Church and not in Parliament as he intended. 

After a long and highly successful ministry he became the first Bishop of Liverpool at the age of 65!  During the next 20 years he saw 90 new churches built and filled, and almost 150 clergy added to the diocese!  He had made the city of Liverpool such a stronghold for the truth as has seldom been seen.  And all this happened because God pushed him out of his comfortable lifestyle!

Sometimes God allows our comfortable nest to be disturbed.  The worst thing is to get into a flap, the best thing is to fly to the Bible and believe these words, “We (Christians) know that all things work together for good…”  [ Romans 8:28 ]  Then pray for Him to show you what change of plan He may have for your life.