When the eaglets are strong enough to fly, and old enough to leave the nest, which is always built either on mountain tops, or among rocks overhanging the sea, the young birds are afraid to make their first attempt at flying, then the parents break up the nest, so that they have no choice but to spread their wings and find they, too, can fly; but at first their wings are weak, and will soon tire. Will the eaglet fall? No, for the parent bird sails down, flies under it, and, allowing it to find a resting-place on her back, mounts up with it to the nest, and safely places it in there to rest.
God’s earthly people, Israel, when living in Egypt, must have noticed the care of the eagle for its young, and it is used by the Holy Spirit, when He wished to make them understand how He cared for and acted for them: “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him.” Deuteronomy 32:11, 1211As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. (Deuteronomy 32:11‑12).
Do those who believe in the Lord Jesus now—those who have rest of conscience, (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28))—know anything about this stirring of the nest? Yes, very often the earthly nest is broken up, sickness or trouble sweeps like a cold wind over the home, or perhaps the chill hand of death touches our beloved ones: This is because God loves His children too well to allow them to settle down in earthly things. He knows how easily we forget that we are pilgrims and strangers here, and when affection for Christ begins to grow cold, how soon we seek to make ourselves at home and happy in the world where He, our Lord and Saviour, was cast out and crucified. His love cannot rest till our hearts are again enjoying the sunshine of His bright presence and love. Earthly things are all too poor and small to fill and satisfy our hearts. Christ, and none but Christ, can do that. (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)).
Thus, we may learn from the eagle that the believer is not to find rest in this world—its pleasures, fashions, or books.
On the Lamb my soul is resting,
What His love no tongue can say;
All my sins so great, so many,
In His blood are washed away.
Sweetest rest and peace have filled me,
Sweeter praise than tongue can tell,
God is satisfied with Jesus,
I am satisfied as well.