In my busy daily life, where alarms and routines guide my every move, I sometimes take a moment to think about time. Every morning, my alarm wakes me up and I dive into a bunch of things: getting my kids ready, making meals, going back and forth to school and their activities, and keeping everything running smoothly.
Yet, through this flurry, the words of Psalm 90:2 resonate: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” In the midst of life’s hustle, these words invite me to explore the concept of God’s timeless nature, shaping my understanding of Him as Creator, my fleeting existence, and his unchanging character.
God’s Timelessness: Beyond Clocks and Hours
Time governs my days, slicing them into neat portions of hours and minutes. Yet, in contrast, there’s God, untouched by my ticking clock. He doesn’t yawn or tire like I do. He has no beginning or end. It’s a tough concept to grasp, but it sets Him apart in a remarkable way.
As I type these words in the late hours of the night, I can feel time’s weight on me. Fatigue creeps in, and I eagerly anticipate sleep to prepare me for the challenges of tomorrow. Isaiah 40:28 echoes this contrast between God’s timeless nature and our limitations: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
In this quiet moment, I find myself in worship, recognizing God’s eternal nature as sacred and perfect, while I, mortal and dependent, am reminded of my own limitations. Just as I sense the heaviness of time’s passing, I’m reminded that God’s eternity provides an unchanging foundation. As I rest, I’m comforted by the truth that God’s timeless presence is a source of strength and renewal, sustaining me even as I rest my weary body.
Experiencing Eternity: A Divine Creation
Thinking back to my childhood, I remember setting up dominoes in a line, mixing them in with all my Lego blocks, going all the way from the top of the stairs to the basement, and watching them tumble in a chain reaction. It was a mini spectacle that ended in an organized mess.
Now imagine God doing something even more amazing – creating everything! God set up the world to work like a domino effect, but way more complex and mind-blowing. God is the uncaused cause–the necessary being.
Nothing “caused” him into existence. In fact, he is the one who caused or effected time, space, and matter as Scripture describes in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Life’s Quick Journey: A Blink of Time
My days rush by like a gust of wind or a wave crashing on the shore. Psalm 90:2 reminds me that life is brief, like a quick breath, compared to God’s everlasting existence. It makes me stop and think about what truly matters in the big picture.
Psalm 103:15-16 paints a vivid picture of our mortality: “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”
Recently, I took my family to the beach. As we looked at the ocean, I asked my son how far he thought we could see. He guessed around 50 miles, but I learned it’s only about 2.9 miles due to how our eyes work and the curvature of the earth. It was surprising, like discovering life’s brevity compared to God’s eternity.
Psalm 37:2 echoes the transient nature of our lives: “For they will fade quickly like the grass and wither like the green herb.”
This beach experience reflects life. Just as the ocean seems endless, our ambitions can feel limitless. Yet, like the horizon’s closeness, our time is short. Psalm 90:2 reminds us to focus on what truly counts, steering us away from distractions and toward meaningful truths and God’s eternal nature.
2 Peter 3:10 provides a solemn perspective on the passage of time: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
As we stand by the shore, gazing at the vastness of the ocean, we’re reminded of the fleeting nature of life. Just as the waves wash away our footprints in the sand, time washes away moments. Throughout life’s experiences, let’s be reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
God’s Unchanging Ways: A Reliable Rock
As time marches on, I’ve come to realize that change is inevitable. I’ve begun to notice the emergence of more gray hairs, and the once-speedy recovery after workouts now takes its time. Presently, I’ve taken on a challenge of swimming 15 miles this month, all for a noble cause.
Yet, with each completed set during my workouts, I find that I require extra moments of recovery. Just the other day, while sprinting, I had a candid conversation with myself: “I am no longer in my 20s.” It’s become a necessary affirmation to ensure I don’t overexert myself and risk an injury.
But God? He remains constant. His character and promises stand unwavering. As Malachi 3:6 assures us, “I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” It’s comforting to know that in a world of change, I can count on God to be a steady and unchanging presence.
Prayer’s Eternal Connection: Talking to God Anytime
Understanding God’s eternal nature transforms the way I talk to Him. Even when I can’t always be there for my loved ones, God can. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Moreover, I can reach out to God at any moment, and He’s always ready to listen. Psalm 34:17-18 assures us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” That’s a huge source of comfort and reassurance, knowing that God’s unwavering presence is always available to provide strength and peace.
Conclusion
Psalm 90:2 opens a doorway to a different kind of time – one that stretches far beyond the minutes and hours of my daily life. Amidst the hustle, it reminds me that God exists beyond time itself. In fact, He is the inventor of time.
While my days may be fleeting, God’s unchanging nature remains a steady anchor. And in prayer, I can connect with Him anytime, knowing that his eternal presence is always there, ready to listen and guide. In a world defined by time, it’s truly incredible to grasp the concept of a God who stands outside its boundaries. May you discover the value of knowing the only eternal, unchanging, and all-loving God of our universe.
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