God is Eternal
Luann Budd
If you’ve taught Sunday School, you’ve probably taught the creation story. And at some point you may have been asked, “If God created everything, then who created God?”
It’s a great question and the answer is, God is eternal. God was not created. He has always been. He has always existed. He is the first Cause, the One without beginning or end.
Have you pondered God’s eternality? It seems Moses probably did while wandering in the desert. He begins his prayer: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Ps. 90:1-2) And then he asked the Lord: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)
It’s good for us to contemplate that God is eternal and face the brevity of our lives. Considering God's eternality is humbling and at the same time expands our thinking about who he is. It brings a healthy dose of reality. It draws us into a proper posture toward God. We are all prone to thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. If we reflect on the truth that God has no beginning and no end, it can help correct our foolish pride. Moses prayed that God would instruct them in numbering their days so that they would gain a heart of wisdom.
Have you numbered your days? I did the calculation: 6,205 days left if I live to the average age of women in America. Feels pretty short. It has been instructive and clarifying to number my days.
Feel a bit like you are wandering around the desert? Do what Moses did. Let the truth that God is eternal lift your heart in worship and humble you. Let it help you find him to be your dwelling place across the full span of your life regardless of location. Let it develop within you a heart of wisdom. As we enter more and more deeply into this experience of being humbled by our knowledge of God, we’ll find that it also expands our trust in him which brings us peace, strength and joy. (J. I Packer, Knowing God).
May I suggest that you spend an hour one morning this month contemplating that God is eternal? Write him your prayer and see where it leads.