Everlasting to Everlasting
written by Chris Baker
The seasons are changing, the temperature is rising, the days are getting longer and summer is coming! One of my favorite things to do this time of year is cut grass. I have always loved mowing the lawn. I guess I like the feeling of accomplishment as I gaze upon the finished product. I am a perfectionist by nature, so I enjoy the detailed lines that run up and down the yard, the edged lines along the concrete and the trimmed grass along the flowerbeds. Unfortunately, I can only enjoy this for a few days because the inevitable happens; the grass grows back! In just a few moments, we will discover how this very image represents our lives.
Today’s devotion is based on Psalm 103. David begins the Psalm by praising the Lord. One could even argue that he is commanding his soul to praise the Lord. If we are honest, we do not always feel like praising God. Perhaps one may feel that life is not going their way, or they think they deserve more than life is currently offering. If we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of complaining. Verses 7- 8 reminds us of the Israelites complaining and God’s grace in being slow to anger. He certainly had every right to be angry with them in the desert. God freed them from slavery, provided daily food and water, cared for them, and yet they constantly complained. The Israelites felt they deserved more and were never satisfied. Stop for a moment. Do you ever take on that attitude? Do you ever feel that you “deserve” more? Do you ever blame God for your lack of [you fill in the blank]? Listen now to David’s next statement.
Verse 10 says, “he [God] does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (NIV). What we “deserve” is the full wrath of God for our sin. It is our sin, we chose to commit it. God clearly determines in His law what the consequences are for sin. I am beyond grateful that God does not treat me as my sin deserves!
Verse 12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (NIV). This takes on a whole new meaning in light of the cross. Jesus took on the punishment for our sin which was intended for us. What we “deserve” is punishment, but through God’s mercy and love He placed that punishment upon Jesus. Therefore, when we confess our sin to God and seek His forgiveness for sin, He is able to cast our sin as far as the east is from the west and remember it no longer!
David reminds us in verse 13 that God has compassion for those who love and revere Him. The next verse says that God remembers how we were formed and that we are dust. David describes how he was fearfully and wonderfully made in Psalm 139.He speaks of the Lord forming him in his mother’s womb. I happen to believe, based on Scripture, that God breathes His life into us at the moment of conception. He knows how we are formed, because the very moment we are conceived, He breathes His life-giving breath into us.
God gives us a reality check in the next two verses. Verses 15-16 say, “the life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more” (NIV). Just like the grass that I described in the beginning of this post, it is here one day and gone the next. Within that very week new grass begins to grow. This is the image of our life. Let that sink in. How old are you? Think about how fast life has gone by already! I work with many people in their 90’s and a few that are 100 or more. They always speak of how fast life has flown by. Soon you will be gone, and after a hundred years or so, who is going to remember you? Fortunately, God does not end on this note!
Verse 17 says, “but from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him” (NIV). Because of His love for us He sent Jesus. If we have a personal relationship with Jesus (Romans 10:9) then we will live and dwell with Him for all eternity, no matter the length of this short life on earth. Instead of receiving what our sin deserves, we received the free gift of salvation found in Christ Jesus! Do not let the enemy deceive you by dwelling on the things you think you deserve. Rather, remember that Jesus spared us from what we actually deserve, by taking on our punishment for sin. Rejoice in the salvation of Jesus today, in whom your sin has been forgiven! Praise the Lord, O my soul, Praise the Lord!
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (NIV).
The Barnabas Corner 