“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:28)
“Hey, Tim – will you look at that moon?” James poked his friend’s sleeping bag.
“Hm-m-m?…hey – I was just falling asleep!” Tim rolled over on his back.
“Sorry – it takes me awhile when I’m in the back yard like this. So…how long do you think the moon has been hanging up there in space like that?”
“Well, it’s been there at least for the ten and one-half years that I have been alive.” Tim yawned.
“Seriously, Tim. My Sunday school teacher said that God created the world about 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. So if the moon was created on the third day, then it could be close to 10,000 years old.”
“That is a long time to be hanging around in one place. Now I know for sure the moon’s not made of cheese!” Tim laughed at his joke.
“But Tim, that’s not long at all to God – He’s been around forever.” James folded his pillow in half and tried to wedge it more comfortably under his head.
“How could someone live forever? That would mean that He was never born and that He would never die.”
“Exactly, Tim. But God’s not just anyone – He is the ‘Eternal God.’”
“Wow – I think I would get tired or bored living that long. He must be really old.” Tim leaned on one elbow and looked at James in the darkness. “Do you think God has white hair?”
James tried to think of a way to explain, but it was hard. “Well, I know He doesn’t look like us, and He doesn’t age the same way we do. He doesn’t have to live by time like we do. He doesn’t have to use any calendars or clocks.”
“No? But how does He know when to do things? Doesn’t He ever forget?”
“Shhh! If you keep asking questions so loud, you’re going to wake up my parents. Maybe even the neighbors! Anyway, I’m not sure how God can live eternally, but He does. And I don’t think He forgets things. I’m glad you’re coming to church with me tomorrow. We can talk to my teacher about it.” James yawned. “But if we are going to be ready in the morning, don’t you think we should try to get some sleep now?”
“Oh, all right, then,” said Tim, a little more quietly this time. “I just hope I can remember all my questions until morning. Now I’m the one who’s wide awake!”
Our God lives forever.
My Response:
» Have you ever just sat and thought about how long forever is?
» From his conversation about the Eternal God, how might James go on to tell Tim about salvation?
» Do you feel more secure, knowing that God is everlasting?