Sunday Service - 25 Nov 1962

The book of Deuteronomy is a beautiful book. It was a great favourite book of our Lord. It was a book from which he quoted again and again. The text I have chosen is one of the choice utterances of the book. There you find a parallel between the care of an eagle for her young and the providence of God. (Read the text.) There is a reference here to the habits of the eagle – the king of birds. The mother bird, in her anxiety for her offspring, deliberately puts an end to their time of infant ease and indulgence, and throws them upon the world. The eagle usually makes its nest on a steep rock of a high mountain. There in that nest, the eaglets feel safe and secure while the mother eagle flies far and out and comes back to her nest. The little birds know nothing of the outside world. After sometime the eaglets become curious about the mother’s visit to the great space around them, and one day, perhaps they step on the edge of the nest, drawn by the mystery of the sky, and yet afraid of its vast depths.

The mother bird now knows it is time for the eaglets to have lessons in flying. The mother bird stirs up the nest and simply pushes the eaglets out. Instinctively, they try to fly, but it is a dangerous business. All too easily they may dash themselves against the rocks. Or growing weak of wings, they may crash to the earth far below. It is then that the mother eagle shows her full powers of swift and amazing flight. She fluttereth over them and under them, and round them, surrounding them with her greater power. Finally when she finds her young ones completely exhausted she catches them on her broad back where they may safely rest. This is the picture presented to us in this lovely parable of providence.

This is the story of Israel and of God. On more than one occasion Israel had suffered the breaking of their net of security and safety. Early in their history, driven by famine, they went to Egypt, and they built for themselves a comfortable dwelling place – a new nest that was their refuge for many years. Israel’s home in Egypt had been very pleasant – they were there as the favourites of Pharaoh’s Chief Minister. Privileges were heaped upon them and a pleasant destiny seemed to be opening out before them for generations. But they were not to remain in that favoured position for long. The new Pharaoh was not at all friendly to them, and he started to persecute them. Their nest of security was broken and they were cast into the wilderness to meet all kinds of dangers and suffer hardships. The people must have looked upon their lot as a great misfortune and tragedy.

But reflecting upon it later they knew that it was all part of God’s plan to educate them, and build them up as a nation. Though they were thrown into the desert, God was there all the time, fluttering over his people, surrounding them with his power, and lifting them on his wings to fuller and richer life. When they came to Egypt as utter strangers among the Egyptians, God’s protection was afforded to them in the person of Joseph whom He had put in their midst in a wonderful way. When they went into the wilderness God gave them Moses to be their leader, and later Joshua. After 40 years of wandering they settled in Canaan, and there they grew to be a powerful nation. The life of slavery in Egypt, and the wandering life in the wilderness were a necessary part of education for the development of a disorganised mob into a powerful nation.

Even after they became established as a nation in Palestine, their nest was once again broken up, and they found themselves exiles in far away Babylon. Even when they were in exile, God’s protection was over them and he watched over His people, as an eagle would watch over her eaglets. After they returned from the exile they realised, when they reflected upon their experience, how their experience of the exile had given them a fuller knowledge of God, and had brought them into closer union with Him. A study of God’s dealing with the people of Israel reveals to us how He deals with His people at all times. By the breaking up of all their nests of comfort and by the thrusting forth of harsh circumstances they grew from eaglets to eagles, from a patriarchal tribe into a powerful nation, from a disorganised mob of slaves into a self respecting community. In that way God prepared them to become the chief torch bearers of the light of God among the peoples of the world.

This has been the experience of men and nations throughout the ages. There are occasions when the little nest in which we have found safety and security for many years is broken up suddenly, and we are made to go through toil and hardship, anxiety and uncertainty, or pain and sorrow. When these become our experience we must regard them as necessary discipline God allows us to go through, to make us men stronger and fitter for His service. We must keep in mind that through all this experience, God is there watching over us, to protect and guide us, as the mother eagle watches over her young ones during the period of training.

Those of us who have had long experience of the British Government in this country know what a sense of safety and security we enjoyed under that government. It is unfortunate that independence has brought with it a sense of the loss of security for us. Yes, it is true that we had good government under the British, but it is God’s will that we should not remain for ever under a foreign government, but that we should be a self-governing nation. The period of tutelage under a foreign government had to come to an end. We cannot always be in a position of being looked after by others. We must learn to look after our affairs. We must develop into an independent nation, and then only can we make our contribution to the world. We must learn the art of self-government though it is true that the process of learning is fraught with danger. It is the will of God that we should go through this process of learning, so that we might grow into a free nation taking our rightful place among the nations of the world. It is true that under the British we lived in an atmosphere of harmony and good will among the various communities in the land, but God wants us to enter into an even more friendly relationship with each other as communities, not under the supervision of a foreign power, but on our own, settling our differences by mutual good will and friendliness. It is that new quality of friendship that that is going to help in the building up of the Ceylonese nation.

Four years ago we went through a very anxious period owing to the communal riots. We do hope we do not have to go through those experiences again. But whatever our experiences may be in the days to come, it is good for us to keep in mind what God’s plan for us is through these experiences. It is that we should emerge out of this as a united nation, and as a people with stronger character, able to make our contribution to the establishment of peace in the world. It is God’s will that we should be an independent nation, not for our self-glory, but that we might fulfil his purposes for the world. In all that we have to face in the days to come let us remember that God, who has placed us in this situation, is with us watching every event and watching over us, ready to protect us from all dangers.

What shall we say of the Christian Church in this country? From its very inception the Church in Ceylon has had a sheltered life. Under the British Government, the Christians have enjoyed many privileges. Perhaps the Church had to be protected at the very beginning, but the time has come for the Church to face the world on its own resources and vitality. It is God’s will that the nest of security in which the Church has lived these many years should be broken , and the Church be made to face a government not too friendly towards it. This experience is the next stage in the growth of the Church in Ceylon. For the Church to effectively witness for Christ in the land, it must stand on its own resources and face opposition. No doubt there are difficult days ahead of us. When we have to face difficulties let us remember that He who has brought the Church into being, and has till now given it a sheltered life, is still hovering over us to protect us and to bring us into safety. Let us be confident that He will bring us out of this time of trial more firm in the faith we profess and more ready to witness for Christ.

Finally, a word to those who may have come to the end of their school career and may be leaving the school shortly. This is the end of the school year. Some of you will be leaving school for higher studies, and others in search of employment. Perhaps for some this may be the first time they will be leaving their homes too. From early childhood till now you have been surrounded by the love and care of your parents and teachers, and you have never experienced any hardship. As you go out into the wider world outside your home and school, you are thrown on your own resources. You have to take greater responsibility for your well-being and conduct. You will be called upon to face greater trials and temptations, and undergo hardships and difficulties of various kinds. You cannot always lead a sheltered life. The nest in which you have found safety and security these many years will be broken up, and you will be pushed out into the wide world. It is a necessary part of a young person’s education. This experience is necessary to make you men of strong character and to enable you to face the world. But you must always keep in mind that the loving God is there with you all the time, in every situation, watching over you to protect you and guide you.