Everlasting God by Brenton Brown and Ken Riley, 2006.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God

You do not faint, you won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

Observe: A single verse, with a short refrain and chorus express, with an economy of words, how we should respond to the recent events. Strength was required to face the uncertainty at the beginning, strength is required now as we pray for healing of loved ones, and strength will be required as society begins to return to a semblance of normalcy. Where can we find a continuing source of strength?

The answer is in the God who is revealed in the Bible. Moses found strength as he led the people in the wilderness and sang these words. “There is none like God, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:26–27a, ESV).

When David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, he rejoiced and sang, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 16:36). And as David lay dying, he found strength, saying, “For does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?” (2 Samuel 23:5).

Isaiah foresaw God’s strength and wrote what would be the hope for all people. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).

The same can be said of so many throughout history as so many, Noah, Abraham, Samuel, Ruth, Jeremiah, Daniel, Esther, the Baptist, Peter, the two Mary’s, Stephen, Paul, the list is nearly endless. Each found strength in the everlasting God.

The chorus tells us why we can expect strength when we are about to falter with words taken from Isaiah 40.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God…does not faint or grow weary. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint, and young men shall fall, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28–31).

We wait upon our everlasting God and find strength today and in the days ahead. We trust that the everlasting God is working all things for our good and his glory. Look again, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

That is the everlasting God’s promise to each one who waits upon Him.

Blessings, Pastor Don.