The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught (Isa 50:4). Almost 30 years ago, the Holy Spirit illuminated this verse in my heart, showing me that sustaining the weary was my purpose in life. Over a decade ago, I began writing Sustaining Word for our church bulletin with 500 articles. That developed into an extensive database, Facebook, and a webpage. The response has been beyond anything I could have imagined. Over 100,000 people have viewed https://sustainingword.org/; only God knows the results. My diminishing health has reduced my ability to produce an SW every week. But I pray the ones I write will sustain someone weary somewhere in the world. It has been and will always be through God’s grace and for His glory.
Over the years, the Holy Spirit has broadened my understanding of what it means for the Lord to sustain us. The word means to keep alive, but it’s more than that; it’s also giving physical, emotional, and spiritual support so we will not just live but also thrive. We live in a world of war, plagues, economic instability, diseases, dangerous times, wicked people, etc. Only God can sustain us.
When I think about our world’s condition today, one picture comes to mind. Years ago, I was pumping gas for my car. Another customer had gone inside, leaving his hose still pumping, apparently assuming the auto cut-off would shut off the flow when the tank was full. You probably have already guessed—it didn’t. Before anyone could react, a massive puddle of gasoline was all over the ground around the car and pump. I immediately thought, “I hope no one strikes a match!” I wouldn’t be writing this today if anything had produced just one spark.
With that in mind, think about the various volatile situations around the world—North Korea, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, to name three—it would take only a spark. Why hasn’t that already happened? Because He [Jesus]was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment (Col 1:17 MSG). The Son [Jesus] is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains [upholds NASB] all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high [Hebrews 1:3 HCSB]. Jesus holds together and sustains the universe, as sure as the moon and earth and sun and planets and galaxies keep their orbits, He holds His people together.
Paul, writing about the last days, wrote, For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way (2Th 2:7 AMP). The Trinity, three persons in one Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each have certain functions they carry out. Jesus is the Sustainer and holds everything together. The Holy Spirit, in one of His current functions, is restraining the hidden power of lawlessness that is the AntiChrist waiting to be revealed. But the Holy Spirit in His office as Restrainer will be taken out of the way. He will no longer restrain, but He will still function as our guide and teacher; He will continue to convict, intercede, and give gifts.
When the Holy Spirit is no longer restraining, the AntiChrist will be revealed and unrestrained in his evil work. The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception (vv 9, 10). Jesus warned of this time, Watch out that no-one deceives you (Matt 24:4). For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive (24:24). The time is soon coming that nothing will stop someone from striking a match over a gasoline puddle. Nothing will restrain leaders from pushing the red nuclear button.
Jesus the Sustainer told us, See that you are not frightened (24:6). Look at promises through the Bible about Him sustaining us. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psa 55:22). When they are tired, you sustain them (Psa 68:9). You sustain the needy with your goodness (Psa 68:10). Sustain me as You promised (Psa 119:116). Your words are what sustain me (Jer 15:16). Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you (Isaiah 46:4).
Elijah lived in horrible times when the rulers were trying to kill him. He thought he was alone and the only believer on earth. God sent him to a drying brook during a famine; He also commanded some crows to sustain you there (1 Kgs 17:4). Then the Lord sent him to Zarephath where, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you (v9). God will also sustain us through our difficult times.
Sustaining Word for the Week: The world to us may appear in total chaos. But He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment (Col 1:17 MSG). Jesus has it under control, fulfilling everything as He planned. He is the Sustainer.