Forever and Ever
Today's Verse:
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. ~Psalm 48:14
A man was taking it easy, lying on the grass and looking up at the clouds. He was identifying shapes when he decided to talk to God. "God," he said, "how long is a million years?" God answered, "In my frame of reference, it's about a minute." The man asked, "God, how much is a million dollars?" God answered, "To Me, it's a penny." The man then asked, "God, can I have a penny?" God said, "In a minute."
What does the idea of forever and ever bring to your mind? Is there any place, anyone, or anything you can imagine yourself having forever? Psalm 48 was written to express the overwhelming delight that the psalmist had in God. In the final verse of this psalm, he declared that his heart and mind were made up that he would trust in God until the day the Lord took him home to Heaven. This morning, let us grasp the meaning of the statement, "This God is our God for ever and ever."
There is the contemplation of forever and ever.
The psalmist looked in awe at the attributes and sovereignty of God. He was in awe of the power of God. He proclaimed, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.” He was in awe of the protection of God. He said, “God is known in her palaces for a refuge.” He was in awe of the purity of God. He said, “According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.” He was in awe of the passion of God. He said, “We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.” He examined and saw first-hand how God is preeminent in what He does and Who He is. What comes to your mind when you think of the Lord? Have you arrived at the place in your life where you cannot help but think about God?
There is the confidence of forever and ever.
The psalmist had great faith and trust in God. He had no reservations, doubts, or concerns about Who God is and what God does. He had faith in how God operated in His life. He had faith that all things work together for good to them that love God. He did not have a faith that vacillated or grew weaker, but instead a faith that matured and was mountain-top in his fellowship and experience. He saw setbacks as learning opportunities. He saw trials as God’s way of growing him in grace. He had faith that God would never fail him, never leave him, and never hurt him. He represents a faith that could not be moved. Is your faith unmovable in the Lord?
There is the conclusion of forever and ever.
So, the psalmist declared, “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” He was saying that his mind was made up that God was his God. There was no second thought about this. God did not have to compete for his affection. God was first place in his life. His salvation was settled in God. His safety was settled in God. His sufficiency was settled in God. His satisfaction was settled in God. He was saying his choice was made, and his life’s passion, priority, and practices were all centered in God. It was his choice, his family’s choice, and his prayer for every generation. He determined to trust God forever and ever! His eye was fixed on eternity, and nothing would change that.
Make a decision this morning that God will be your God forever and ever. Don’t let the glitter of this world deceive you into being a half-hearted believer. Let God be your guide even unto death.
Have a resolute God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 1-2