I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (Ex. 19:4)
America was stunned to hear in April 1995 that a massive bomb had obliterated a section of downtown Oklahoma City in the nation’s heartland. The magnitude of the blast was hard to comprehend. The federal building, which was the target of the bomber, was destroyed. More than 160 people were killed, many of them children in a daycare center housed in the building. Hundreds of other buildings were damaged, some of them as far as sixteen blocks away from the explosion. At the time, it was the worst act of terrorism in the nation’s history.
At the memorial service for the victims, by special request of Governor Frank Keating’s wife Cathy, an inspirational song was sung. It was “On Eagles’ Wings,” a hauntingly beautiful composition that has since become internationally popular. Based on Exodus 19 and Psalm 91, it captures the consolation of divine support in times of distress.
The imagery of eagles’ wings speaks to us today just as it must have spoken to God’s people in biblical times. The Israelites at Sinai in Exodus 19 had seen God work in amazing ways. Our crises may be different, but, like them, we can know what it means to rise above our circumstances through a power infinitely greater than our own.
The view from altitude can change our attitude.
Whatever your challenge may be, rise above it through his strength.
Bob Black is professor emeritus of religion at Southern Wesleyan University, where he served for thirty-two years. Along with Keith Drury, he co-authored the denominational history, The Story of The Wesleyan Church.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
