“As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young…taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him …” – Deuteronomy 32:11-12 (NKJV)
The Bible, in Deuteronomy 32:11, says an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings, and takes them up. Through the metaphor of an eagle, this verse powerfully illustrates God’s protective and nurturing nature – how an eagle protects and trains her eaglets.
God’s love and care for His children are unfathomable. As the eagle cares and teaches her eaglets to fly by stirring up the nest, we, as parents, have a job to give our children wings so they can leave the nest. The verse also implies a deeper understanding of our relationship with God as our source of protection and divine caregiver.
When raising our boys and girls, we need to prepare them to leave our homes. Eagles are known for their strength, power, and grace in the sky. But before they can soar gracefully high, eaglets must first learn to fly. Although this process is frightening since the eagle stirs the nest, creating a situation that pushes the eaglets out of their comfort zone, it is done to empower them, not to neglect them.
We can be caught up in making our children comfortable, but we must build them with character to prepare them to leave the nest. It may seem uncomfortable and unsettling; however, it is fundamental for them to learn, grow, and eventually soar like the eagles. Sometimes, there may be discomfort or spiritual or emotional chaos, but God will nudge them out of complacency and push them into growth because He has a purpose for each challenge they face as they strive to soar.
Verse 11 also demonstrates the protective nature of an eagle. The eagle (parent) hovers over the young, safeguarding them from potential threats as they prepare to fly. Likewise, God spreads His wings of protection over our children in times of uncertainty, trials, and fear. Yes, God’s protective grace is ever present, covered by His love. Like the eagle carrying the young on her wings, bearing the weight of their fear and uncertainty, God is with His children in their struggles. They must know that they can surrender all their burdens to Him and know that they will develop into stronger, more resilient children. Their identity is as God’s beloved children.
Like the eaglets, we must nurture and equip our children to take flight into God’s calling placed upon their lives. Though the process may be frightening, it is key to note that every stir in the nest is just a preparation for their ultimate soaring.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise You. We embrace the discomfort and challenges that life may bring. We trust You. We know that You will always carry us and our children. We acknowledge that You fly high above the storms of life and are ever present in our nests, ready to stir, protect, and bear us upon Your wings. We thank You, oh God, that as we soar into new heights of faith, we are encouraged by Your everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Ephesians 6:4; 3 John 1:4
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 102:12-17; 1 Corinthians 15:35-49; 2 Chronicles 18:28-34; 2 Chronicles 19; 2 Chronicles 20; 2 Chronicles 21:1-3