Jesus, Our Sustainer

Sustain (def) - to strengthen or support physically or mentally. Jesus is the sustaining force in our lives, and not just to help us "get by" but to soar as eagles do. Eagles take on storms that scare others, and they use that wind to soar higher and higher. They do not fear the storm, but use that storm to learn to fly in the more difficult storms that come up out of nowhere. There are many lessons that show us how God is the sustaining force in our lives, and they are found in Isaiah 40.

First of all, Jesus has all power, and that power is limitless. Did you read that? LIMITLESS. The world has nothing to offer when it comes to sustaining us, and it is a weak substitute at best when compared to God's power. Isaiah 40: ²⁸ Have you never heard?Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. We have heard about the power of God, but still we doubt that power when we should be relying totally on it. Looking deeply into the sustaining power of God, and do not look away. He will provide because He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

Secondly, Jesus gives the power to live this victorious life to us. Yes, us. I cannot explain or totally understand it, but I gladly receive it and honor it by glorifying God in it. King David received great power and help from God, and every time he won a battle in his life, he remembered to say, "God did it!" How could he say that? He was "sustained," recognized it, and honored and praised God, who gave it to him. Isaiah 40:²⁹ He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Thirdly, no matter our age, we need this sustaining power from God. God physically and mentally helps us in the midst of our need, and his help is the way He sustains us. As Jesus carried the cross up the Via Dolorosa to Calvary, He was a physical man, feeling the weight of the cross as any man would, but He was also the perfect Son of God, or God. Jesus was God and man, and He understands our need for the sustaining power of God in every area of our lives. Isaiah 40:Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

Lastly, just trust Jesus to do what is best for you. Trust is a huge word for me. I do not trust many people, but I have learned to have complete trust in Jesus through total hip replacement, two vocal cord surgeries (which really hurt and compromised my singing voice), total left knee replacement, and countless other things I have experienced in ministering in churches. All of those listed were beyond what I could do without the sustaining power of Jesus to not only bring me through them, but also soar a little higher in my personal growth. I have been forced to trust Jesus, but I also realize that I can choose to trust Him before the storms and have my wings ready to face the wind.

Jesus, our sustainer, is the guiding and strengthening force in our born-again lives, and we must trust Him completely as He lifts us out of the mire of a nominal life that barely gets by to an all-sustaining life that truly soars to greater heights. Our Lord says the following words to Isaiah in Isaiah 40:²⁵ “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. The world or Jesus? NO COMPARISON. ONLY JESUS!!!

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren