OCTOBER 3, 2024
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)
This passage begins with the language of the prophet reproving the people for complaining of being forsaken and assuring them that God was faithful to His promises. This argument of the prophet, which continues to the close of the chapter, comprises the main scope of the chapter, which is to induce them to put confidence in God and to believe that He was able and willing to deliver them. The phrase, “Hast thou not known?” refers to the fact that the Jewish people had an abundant opportunity to learn from their history and their fathers: the true character of God and His ability to save them. No people had ever had so much light on this subject, and now they ought to recall their former knowledge of His character and provision.
The God who has existed from eternity is unchangeable, and His purposes cannot fail. The phrase, ‘the ends of the earth,’ means the same as the earth itself. The world is sometimes spoken of as a vast plain with limits or boundaries, and this was probably the prevailing idea among the ancient people. The argument is that He Who has formed the earth could not be exhausted or weary in a work as small as protecting His people. God, Who has formed and sustained all things, is not exhausted in His powers but can still defend and guard His people. He Who made all things must be infinitely wise. There is proof of boundless skill in the works of His hands, and it is impossible for finite minds fully and adequately to search out all the proofs of His wisdom and skill.
God, Who has made all things, must be intimately acquainted with His people’s needs. Therefore, they had no reason to complain that their way was hidden from the Lord and their cause passed over by Him. He empowers His weak and feeble people; they should always put their trust in Him and look to Him for aid.
Even the most vigorous young men, whom we expect a particular fire or energy from, will finally become weary. Their powers will soon be exhausted. But, while their strength will fail, the strength of God is unexhausted and inexhaustible. The powers of God can never grow weary, and those who trust in Him will never become faint.
But they that wait upon the LORD; those who wait for His help with their hope or confidence in Him will have their strength revived and cause to flourish again what has decayed and fallen. Those who are in circumstances of danger or want and who look to Him for His merciful interposition, putting their trust in the Lord, will be given strength. We will renew our strength like eagles if we seek God this way. It’s a common and popular opinion that the eagle lives and retains its vigor to a great age and that, unlike other birds; it molts or renews its feathers in old age.
They will run and not be fatigued; those who trust in God will be vigorous, elevated, and unwearied. He will sustain and uphold them so that they will never faint!
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