Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Restoring the Strength of the Eagle

back to the cleft of the rock. They hit their beaks against the rocks and removed the calcium. The combination of eating properly, going back to its rock, and removing the calcium deposits enabled the eagles to renew themselves and fly high again. Two eagles renewed themselves. The three that did not renew themselves died. Let us compare this process to empires that have come and gone. At the apex of their power, they chose the attitude of those on the Titanic: "Nothing can take us down. We are unsinkable." So how does the American eagle renew itself in these final days? 1. The nation must be fed the proper diet. Just as the eagles in the wilderness had to eat to receive strength to fly again, the people of this nation must be fed the truth in order to gain spiritual strength. Have you observed the difference between a true Christian and an unbeliever? A true Christian has joy, assists others in need, and is fulfilled through his or her relationship with the Lord and by helping others. The word of God is more than information—it is revelation. As this revelation is received into your spirit, it brings illumination and produces inspiration! Your outlook on life changes and your lifestyle blossoms accordingly. After all, how many atheists do you know that have built orphanages and hospitals, or established inner city programs to help the poor? I know of none. I do know of many churches that are involved in helping others. While unbelievers want to restrain Christian evangelism, they often overlook the Christian work that helps the poor and needy. We do this because we have been fed the true bread of life, the word of God. In a sense, we must drop the nurturing word of God into the lives of eagles that are in the dry places to encourage them so that they, too, can come out of the wilderness and fly in the high places. 2. The nation must set its eyes on the rock. When an eagle walks in the wilderness, it forgets the rock on which it was born. Eagles were not created to walk on the ground like turkeys and chickens; instead, they were created to soar above the storms of life and perch in peace on high cliffs. In fact, the eagle never completely abandons the rock on which it was born, except when it is in the molting period. The Bible teaches, "God is our rock" (Psalms 62:1 2). David wrote, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock

255