Get a Grip on Everlasting

“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.  And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.” Genesis 21:33-34

“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,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.” 40:28

For Abraham, a new father to his promised heir Isaac at 100, and still exploring his new land, a treaty, conflict, and resolution with Abimelech punctuated the long unknown before him. Planting a tree to mark the juncture, at that point in the temporal, he called on his Eternal, acknowledging His providence and in trust for the way forward.

Everlasting is other worldly. Everlasting seems inconsistent with clocks, calendars, and schedules. It is an oxymoron with tenures and life spans and run rates. But everlasting is our God, El Olam, and His eternal existence makes a lasting difference in ours.

From everlasting to everlasting, God is. From everlasting to everlasting, He knows all that has taken place, is occurring, and will transpire. From everlasting past He knew us by name and the number of our days, is now intimately acquainted with all our ways, and will be our heavenly Ruler forever. From everlasting, He has planned what He is now and into the future accomplishing. He is, He knows, He does, He will keep on. (Psalm 139:1-6,13-17; Isaiah 46:9-11; Revelation 21:3-7,22-25)

So if tempted to fret or fear, would we not instead trust our Everlasting God? When we are confused, or weary with suffering or longing or waiting, would we cling to our Everlasting Father? At times when we see no fruit, no finish, will we count on the Everlasting King to complete His work at last? When we hurt at the scrape and sting of discipline, will we hope in the certain prospect of glory? (Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Corinthians 3:18;4:17; Hebrews 12:10-11)

What difference could it make if we began each day worshiping and savoring our Everlasting God? How might our attitudes, our perspective, our speech, our industry, the way we plan our time and treat other people, be transformed when imprinted with everlasting?

“Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; 
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; 
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~C.T.Studd (1860-1931)

Father, please infiltrate and mark my everything by Your everlasting. Give me an eternal perspective that sees and endeavors in all Your unstoppable, forever glory. May I live in hope of eternity, when I will sing Your everlasting praise!