Let’s establish some context around where this verse comes from. In the book of Isaiah, the Jews were living in exile in Babylon. This was a foreign land to them, far away from their home, and it was a land that was broken. Because of their surroundings, they started to believe that their way was hidden from God and disgraced by Him (Isaiah 40:27). So it is to these people who were hurting and exiled, that the prophet Isaiah spoke with amazing language surrounding the supremacy of God.
So now look at what Isaiah is telling us in this verse:.
“The lord is the everlasting God…” – Isaiah doesn’t address the Jews’ situation right off the bat. He starts by shifting the focus from their problems and suffering to focusing on God. Despite what anyone in that culture thought at the time, God, who lovingly covenanted with His people, was wholeheartedly committed to them. In the rest of this verse we see a list of descriptions about who God is. A list that at the time would have given an exhausted and tired people hope.
And that’s what we need to do today. No matter how exhausted, tired, or broken you are, or how bleak life may feel – shift your focus to God.
Unlike any nation, circumstance, or obstacle, God is everlasting.
“…the Creator of the ends of the earth…” As Ray Ortlund comments, “There is not a single square inch on this earth unknown to God or lying beyond the range of his presence. Anywhere life may take us, whether Babylonian exile or a lonely hotel room or an intensive care unit, God will already be there for us. We lie in his grace and power at all times, everywhere.”
“He will not grow weary” – It’s in the times that life makes zero sense, that we need to remember that God is in control, powerful, and all-knowing. He’s never perplexed or overwhelmed by any situation, for who He is and His character is far beyond anything we’ll ever know. It’s easy to lose trust when things go bad. It’s easy to wonder if God cares when everything feels like it’s breaking. These thoughts come from a place of doubt. And doubt is natural within faith. It comes from our human weakness and frailty. We naturally want certainty when things require faith. Instead of dwelling on doubt and uncertainty, think of your faith as a lifeline to God. A God who will never grow faint or weary.
“…and his understanding no one can fathom.” – Rest easy in knowing that God’s power, majesty, glory, and character are far beyond anything that we can comprehend. All throughout history we’ve tried to place God in a box, tried to rationalize his essence, tried to explain things in ways that make sense to us. And that’s natural to do, but it should be awe-inspiring that there are some things about God that we can explain, but will never comprehend.
In any trial that we go through, it’s so easy to become narrow-sighted and to lose focus on what God is doing in our lives through the hard times. Do you feel like fainting? Draw near to God, He will not faint. In our weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9).
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29.
We can find comfort, healing, joy, and rest in a Creator who is everlasting, will not grow faint or weary, and whose understanding is beyond anything we can fathom. Draw near to God. Spend time with Him today. Pray, read His Word, and draw near to Him. You will find rest.
