Aerie

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 49

Scripture Focus: Though you make your nest as high as the eagle's, I will bring you down from there. (Jeremiah 49.16)

Devotional Thought: Aerie - /ˈerē, ˈirē/ noun - the nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, usually built in a high, inaccessible place.

In Jeremiah's day, the people of Edom thought they were situated on an aerie: immune from economic disaster, family disintegration, and military defeat.  God said they were about to fall from "the height of the hill."

It was nothing new.  In Genesis 11, people were united, civilization was progressing, and confidence was high.  They intended to build an aerie for themselves.  There was a problem, however.  Humanity had left God out of the equation, and they were destined for misunderstanding, division, and judgment.

And what about today?  In early 2020, it looked like America was situated on an aerie.  The economy was good, unemployment stood at record lows, and there was relative calm at home.  Little did we know that a pandemic  would strike, the economy would stumble, and social unrest would erupt.

Upon what aerie are we situated today?  Will it withstand the looming storms that threaten, unseen storms we have no way of knowing much less controlling?

Two scriptures come to mind:

You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.  (Exodus 19.4)

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. (Isaiah 40.31)

Let us make God our aerie!

Prayer: Lord, I find it easy to trust my position.  My feeling of security rests upon many human factors.  Lord, help me to tear down these aeries and put my trust in you alone, you who will bear me on eagles' wings.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 124.6-8

6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!

7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.