What does it mean to mount up as eagles?

on Aug 13, 2025

Reading the story of Noah`s ark. An open Bible with the story of Noah`s ark. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My church asked if I would lead a children’s class, and I would like to teach them some meaningful lessons using stories about God’s creation – particularly with animals, starting with the obvious story of Noah and the ark, but then progressing through Scripture, helping them learn that the dove represents the Holy Spirit, the lamb is a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, and explaining that the lion is often referred to as the Lion of Judah. But I’m not quite sure how to help them understand what it means to mount up as eagles. – A.L.

A: God’s creation story is the first miraculous account in the Bible, which includes His creation of animals. No one can miss God’s creative work in the animal kingdom.

Eagles are large and strong carnivores – they hunt and eat meat – and they have especially sharp eyesight. They also have the unusual ability to lock their joints and soar in the wind instead of flapping their wings. All around the world, and in the Bible, the eagle is a symbol of power.

The Bible tells us we can face trouble with a power others do not have – the power of God. Christians may have problems and experience sickness and disasters, like floods and tornadoes, just as other people do. But as we trust Him, God helps us go through suffering and see something good come out of it.

As we wait on God, He helps us use the winds of trouble to soar above our problems like an eagle soars through the air. This is why the Bible says, “Those who wait on 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).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)