The Everlasting God

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.

—Isaiah 40:27–29

The children of Israel were in a place where many of us find ourselves at one time or another. They were not necessarily questioning God’s awareness of their plight, but rather His goodness in light of their plight. In this passage, the phrase “just claim” refers to the promises of blessing God had made to Israel all the way back to Abraham and Moses. Some were certainly thinking, Where are the promises of God? The implication here is, Are we hidden from the Lord or something? Does He not remember what He promised?

The Spirit’s answer to Israel’s ponderings could be paraphrased like this: “Do you not see the consistency and faithfulness of God, beginning all the way back to creation? Is God’s love expressed only through favorable circumstances? Does He not empower the weak and strengthen those with no might? Isn’t that the pattern of God in your own history, Israel?” That seems to be the Spirit’s probing reply.

It is easy for us to get caught up in the same mind-set as the Israelites, but it is important to remember that God is good—even on our bad days. God is good when times are hard, He is good when we feel like He’s not watching, and He’s good when His promises seemed to be blurred by circumstances. Isaiah is saying, in essence, that beginning with creation and up to the present day, it is impossible for God not to be good, loving, and kind, regardless of our personal circumstances.

It is not remotely possible for even one of God’s promises to fail. No matter what you see around you currently, no matter the seeming impossibility of the situation you’re facing, God is watching over you and has everything you need to face your circumstance or weakness. There is zero possibility that He will fail you.

But like Israel, you must take your eyes off the situation and turn them back onto the promises of God. God neither faints nor wearies of strengthening His children in their hour of need—and that includes you! So no matter the situation, remember God’s consistency from the beginning of time. Beyond a doubt, that proves it is utterly impossible for Him not to be watching over you!

Excerpt from “Body Builders” now available on Amazon.

BARRY STAGNER