January 11 – God is Eternal

        Psalm 93:2 – "[God's] throne was established long ago; you are from everlasting."

        I believe that the hardest concept for the human mind to grasp is that God has always existed. How can one understand not having a beginning, like all humans have?  In order for God to be all-powerful, he would have to be eternal; otherwise, he would just be another created being with great power, and therefore would need a greater Creator himself – which leads us back to a being who was not created.

        When Moses at the unconsumed burning bush asks God who is sending him to the Israelites, God commands Moses to speak "I am who I am". In other words, God is the self-existent one who exists now and has always existed. In that sense, God stands outside of time measurement as we know it, because he is not constrained by time or history. He only limits himself to allow for future events to happen "independently" of his direct control, as he has given humans the ability to act with their own free will, not just as a marionette on a string, controlled only by an unseen hand. The concept of the future, however, is for another day's topic.

        King Solomon surmised that "God has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). So, we do have some inkling of the idea of our existence never ending. It would be so depressing to have nothing with which to look forward, after this life on earth has ended. It would be at the very least absurd to join with the Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine that only 144,000 literal persons out of the entire historical population of the earth, would continue to live eternally, while billions would simply cease to exist.  Remember, we don't know what it means to have not existed; therefore, it is even harder to grasp going from existence to non-existence. Our continuation, as Solomon stated, is inherent within our very souls.

        Father, open our eyes to see the future you have lovingly planned for us believers.

December 7 – Focusing on God's Standards

        Psalm 89:16 – "They rejoice in [God's] name all day long; they exult in [God's] righteousness."

        This verse conveys the opposite mindset reflected in December 6th's topic. While the sinful culture should repulse us Christians, we need to have something stronger and better upon which to focus, lest we fall into despair. God is still in control and allowing man to make his own decisions.

        God's righteous standard comes from his very character, which is displayed in his reign as king of the universe. Verse 14 of this same Psalm states that "righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." While the foundations of righteousness are crumbling around us (Psalm 11:3), what are believers supposed to do? We are to be examples of salt and light in this wicked world. Part of doing that is focusing daily – thinking deeply – on the standard of righteousness. Philippians 4:8 gives us the command "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." If that reflection does not come easily, then we have to train ourselves to do so. With God's help, we can have our minds transformed, which concept appears in another command in Romans 12:2.

        Focusing on God's righteousness takes work. It is a conscious effort, a continual battle of the mind. For me, it means more meditation in God's word, and less news coverage on the TV. For you, it might mean less movie watching, and more fellowship with other believers that focuses on our purpose for living. However the focus happens, it will require a continual change on our part.