Does God suffer setbacks? ∙∙

Does God suffer setbacks? ∙∙

He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature . . .. – 2 Peter 1:4

Isaiah 40:28-31

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.

29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall exhausted.
31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

What does it take to accomplish objectives?

Undoubtedly, each of us knows what it is like to perform some physical activity until we reach the point of exhaustion. Some of us just quit, while others get a new burst of energy and continue.

The best among us, even those with the strength of youth, will eventually wear down. What does it take to see it through to the end?

Our Father possesses unlimited resources that empower His children beyond human strength. He has promised to provide just that, making endless reserves of new strength available to us.

The Father has promised that whatever we need to accomplish His purpose and to become more like Him is already ours. Children of the King have supernatural resources. It is as though He has deposited His power, knowledge, and authority into our personal bank accounts. We simply make withdrawals as needed.

Accomplishing Objectives

When pursuing goals or facing challenges, it’s easy sometimes to doubt how far you can go. But in those moments, remember how far you’ve already come. Reflect on the battles you’ve fought, the fears you’ve conquered, and the obstacles you’ve survived.

We all understand what it’s like to push ourselves to the point of physical or mental exhaustion. Some people stop there, choosing to quit. Yet, others dig deep and find a second wind, a burst of energy that propels them onward. But even the best among us, even those with the strength of youth, will eventually reach their limits. What does it take to endure to the end?

Unlimited Strength from Our Father

The answer lies not in human strength but in the resources of our Heavenly Father. Unlike finite human energy, His strength is limitless. He has promised to sustain the children of the King and provide what they need to go beyond human strength. He offers a source of power that never runs dry, an endless reserve of strength for those who trust in Him.

Our Father assures us that whatever we need to accomplish His purpose and grow into His likeness is already ours. The Lord Jesus Christ preceded the Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples with a very important promise, Matthew 28:18-19: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go . . ..”

For the children of the King, supernatural strength and resources are not kept at a distance. The authority and power of the King of Kings are granted to us to achieve his will on earth as it is in heaven. It is as though God has deposited His divine power, wisdom, and authority into our personal spiritual bank accounts. All we have to do is make withdrawals as needed, trusting that His provision will never fail.

This is crucial to understand. Many children of the King feel like paupers and must beg and plead for assistance. The Lord’s enablement is not something we have to strive for or earn. It is already given. It resides within us.

Running the Race with Faith

The movie “Chariots of Fire” offers a beautiful metaphor for faith. The character Eric Liddell compares running a race to the Christian walk. It is challenging and demands both focus and determination. There will be moments of joy, but there is no definite formula for success. Each individual must allow the Father to guide their path.

Liddell asks, “And where does the power come from to see the race to its end?” The answer he provides is profound yet simple: “From within.” Liddell concludes that if you commit yourself to the love of Christ and truly seek Him with all your heart, you will surely find Him. We learn to commit ourselves entirely to the love of Christ by dedicating our hearts, souls, and energies to seek Him. Over time, His strength becomes our strength. His grace becomes the power that carries us forward, no matter how hard the race may seem.

The Will to Endure

Ultimately, to achieve and accomplish great objectives, you must rely not only on your own abilities but also on the spiritual resources that only the Father can provide. Human strength alone will falter, but with your eyes fixed on Him, you can run with perseverance. Trust that the King of the universe is with you, equipping you and cheering you on, every step of the way.

REFLECT & PRAY

The human body may weaken and wear out, but the human spirit is resilient. When fatigue, discouragement, or weariness take hold, we must hold fast to the promises of the Father and pray them into our daily lives, making them a part of our personal experience.

Father, time and time again, You have accomplished in me and through me what I could never achieve on my own. Thank You for Your unfailing promises. Help me to fully embrace them, to lean on them, and to trust in Your strength to carry me through.

INSIGHT

The Father’s Perfect Provision

The Father never suffers setbacks. He is never taken off guard, and He never makes a mistake. His plans are flawless, and He has made abundant provision for those who belong to Him. Each child of the King has inherited His precious and powerful promises, providing everything necessary for life and godliness. Simply put, the Father has already supplied all we will ever need in this life.

2 Peter 1:4 reminds us of this truth: “Because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

The promises of God are beyond measure, described as both “precious” and “very great.” The Greek word timios, translated as “precious,” denotes something of “tremendous worth, a status that cannot be overstated.” The UBS handbook on 2 Peter 1:4 explains, “In the present case, precious can therefore be rendered as ‘valuable,’ or even ‘invaluable’ or ‘priceless’ (That is, it is impossible to estimate its worth).”

The Father has provided everything we need for life and godliness, and He has given us His Word to help us develop these qualities. These promises are great because they come from a great God and lead to a great life. They are precious because their value is beyond calculation. Wiersbe insightfully notes that if we were to lose the Word of God, there would be no way to replace it.

Experiencing the Father’s Promises

When we believe and step into the reality of these promises, we are drawn closer to the Father on a deeply personal level. We experience Him as a person. He shares His nature and communicable attributes with us. Through His promises, we are not only set apart from the corruption of the world, but also we become increasingly like Him. The more we lean into His Word, the more we reflect His character.

The psalmist captures the richness of the Scriptures perfectly: “They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb” (Psalms 19:10). “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalms 119:11).

Take a moment to reflect on and assess your life. What do you truly value? What stands out as precious and irreplaceable? The Word of God is of infinite value. It compels our love and devotion. Like treasure, we must store it securely in the depths of our hearts.

All We Need is Already Given

God has already provided everything we need to grow in Christlikeness. We don’t need to seek new experiences or hunt for fresh revelations to feel closer to Him. Stanley emphasizes that the key lies in fully appropriating what God has already given us. His Word is complete, His promises sufficient, and His grace abundant.

We are not defined by what has happened to us. Carl Jung once said, “We are what we choose to become.” And as children of the King, what we become is intended to be shaped by the promises of a flawless Father. With His Word and His Spirit, we are empowered to live as His beloved children, equipped for every good work.

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© Dr. H 2025