“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (NKJV)

Time. It dictates what we do and when we do it. Time flees swiftly and it seems we never have enough of it. We are boxed into minutes, hours, days, months, and years. A look in the mirror or an ache remind us of the years passing. It’s difficult to imagine a life that is eternal.

Eternal Life.

God promises eternal life to the believer of Jesus (John 3:16).

The song Amazing Grace by John Newton sometimes includes a fifth verse that was added in A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790. The lyrics contemplate eternity.

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”

It’s hard to comprehend the concept of unending time. A believer’s eternal life has no end but, unlike God, our eternity does have a beginning. When we turn from our sin and receive Jesus as our Savior, He gives us eternal life beyond the grave.

God is eternal. Why is that significant?

God always has existed and He always will.

There was no beginning before Him, nor will anything or anyone come after Him.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2 (NIV)

The Lord is the eternal King.

No god existed before the Lord, and none will exist after Him. Lots of religious views and gods have appeared through history. None have existed longer than the Lord God, and none will outlast Him. He reigns above all.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. I Timothy 1:17 (NKJV)

But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations. Psalm 102:12 (NKJV)

*Let’s look up. Praise the Lord for God’s eternal existence, His majesty, and His glory.

God’s eternal attribute relates to His dealings with us. Let’s consider a few ways.

God looks at time differently than we do, for He lives outside of time.

Psalm 90 reveals how He views the passing of time.

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 (NIV)

We want things done now, but God works on His timetable for our good and according to His purpose.

The Lord is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). He knows the beginning, the end, and everything in between. God knows all of history before it even began.

Nothing that comes into my life is a surprise to God, for He knows every day of my life before one day even occurs (Psalm 139:16). He knows what my future holds, and He holds my future. The same is true regarding you and your life.

* Can you think of a time that the Lord has acted in your life and in your circumstances and you later realized it was better His way? Do you now praise Him for it?

The eternal God is our shelter.

He is our refuge now andin the eternal future. His everlasting arms are always there for us (Deuteronomy 33:27a).

* When has the Lord been your refuge? Do you run into His arms?

I’ve found in Him a dependable shelter, and so I pray,

Dear Eternal King, thank you for being our Heavenly Father who welcomes us with Your everlasting arms. In You we find love, refuge, and forgiveness. You never change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

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