February 2
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God,” Psalm 90:1-2.
Words do not always have the same meaning. Sometimes words are used in their literal sense. Sometimes they are used figuratively. Sometimes words are used in a colloquial way. Sometimes words are used in slang. Think of the simple word, “cool.” Primarily, the word “cool” refers to the weather. It means a lack of warmth. Then, too, what one person might consider being cool another person might consider being comfortable. However, the word “cool” is often used in a way that has nothing to do with the weather. Both youth and adults often refer to something they like, something positive, or something interesting by saying, “That’s really cool!”
In the Scripture quoted above, the keyword is “everlasting” or “eternal.” In the Bible, the word “everlasting” has a different meaning when we are speaking of people and when we are speaking of God. We teach and believe that the children of God – that is, everyone who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior – will have everlasting life. Of course, as people, we have a beginning of life, which begins at the time of conception. Everlasting life is the life that will not end; it goes beyond death into eternity.
When the Bible speaks of God, it says, “Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God!” God is without a beginning and without an ending. God is eternal, and He alone is God. God existed, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world.” God alone existed before the creation of all things.
The story is told that a certain individual was informed that God was all alone before He created anything. In sympathy, the individual said that God must have been exceedingly lonely before He had people with which to contend. He asked the question of a theologian, “What did God do from eternity?” The theologian responded, “God spent His time whittling switches to be used on people who ask foolish questions!” Don’t question what will remain unknown as long as we live on this earth!
When we, as the children of God, speak about God as being “from everlasting to everlasting,” it is exceedingly comforting. That comfort is expressed by the psalmist in the words, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” There never was a time when people had to go through life alone. God has always been in existence! He has always been around to provide and care for us. The apostle Peter wrote, “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7. The only true, eternal God gives us His personal promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5. Just think – you can go through this life without worrying!
But how do we know that we will be in the presence of the eternal God when our lives come to an end? The eternal God is also our gracious God who promised to send a Savior after Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. When Eve’s first son, Cain, was born, she said, “I have gotten a man, the LORD,” Genesis 4:1 (An American Translation by William F. Beck). She thought God’s promise to send a Savior was being fulfilled. Years later, how her heart must have ached when she learned that she had given birth to the first murderer!
Yes, God kept His promise to send a Savior, but in His own time and according to His own plan. The apostle Paul wrote, “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons,” Galatians 4:4-5. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, into this world, and “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. On Calvary’s cross, He suffered and died to redeem us. We were bought at the price Jesus paid. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31 – eternally!
O gracious God, our everlasting Father, continue to bless us with the necessities of this life and with an increased faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus, who loved us and gave Himself for us. In His name I pray. Amen.