WINGS LIKE EAGLES.  By Donna Hottinger.

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

The other day my friend sent me this scripture through a text.  I have referred to this scripture frequently in the past couple of years.  I have been sick since 2022, and have been covered in prayer by an abundance of people since then.  I am so grateful for my support system.

I am reminded daily by texts and emails that God is here with me and that He’s got this.  I know for a fact that He is with me and His goodness never fails.

I woke up one morning last week with the song “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans playing in my head.  The words to this song mean so much to me.

I love You, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In darkest night You are close like no other

I’ve known You as a Father

I’ve known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God

‘Cause all my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

With my life laid down, I surrendered now

I give you everything

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

As I’m going through my journey, adding to my story, my God is good to me.  He is running after me to give me goodness and healing.  I know that God is with me as I battle cancer with all of the ups and downs, remissions and setbacks.  I also know that I’m not alone.  There are others that are going through their own battles whether it’s sickness, grief, financial hardships, homelessness, and many other things.  There is hope for all of us.

Some of the other bible translations of Isaiah 40:31 state that those that “hope” in the Lord shall renew their strength.   As I think about hope, I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I looked up the definition of hope online.  It states that it is a feeling of expectation for a certain thing to happen or as a verb wanting something to happen or be the case.  I did the same for wait.  The second definition states it is used to indicate that one is eagerly, impatient to do something or for something to happen.

The anticipation of what God has planned for my life is palpable.  I give Him my entire being and I hope that includes healing.  However, I am willing and eager to accept whatever comes my way.  I know that the Lord will renew my strength to endure life.  I will rise up with wings like eagles.  I have a story to tell.  I will be telling it at our next Chico HBH conference on March 15, 2025.  Put it on your calendar.  Registration opens up sometime in January.  I hope to see you there.