Forever is a Long Time

Commitment is something I struggle with. Oh, I’m committed to my marriage, for sure. But long term volunteering opportunities, I think and pray hard about.  Because, you know, once I say yes, it’s forever. And forever is a long time, amen?

When scripture tells me to give thanks to God forever, I struggle some, don’t you? 

 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 NASB

Honestly, my first thought is “Can I do that? Won’t I get tired of giving thanks forever?” I mean, forever never ends, does it? If, however, I think about all the “forever’s” God has given me, then my perspective changes. 

The most important forever God gives, is eternal life. John 3:16 tells me He loves me SO MUCH he gave the gift of His Son Jesus. Jesus paid the penalty for all my sins and all your sins. He died on the cross for us, but rose to life three days later. I accepted this precious and priceless gift. Have you?  If so, we will have eternal, everlasting life because Jesus conquered death. We will live forever with Him!

 

And, from Psalm 37 alone, we find our inheritance is forever, we will abide forever, we will dwell in the land we inherit forever, and we are preserved forever. 

Psalm 136 tells us over and over that not only has the Lord given us things that last forever, but His love also lasts forever. ALWAYS. He will always and forever love us, no matter what we’ve done, the horrible things we’ve said, or how mean we may have been to someone. His love endures FOREVER. And that’s a long time.

He has also given us a Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who will be with us forever (John 14:16). He’s always with us, to comfort us and to bring to mind those things He has taught us. And He’s taught us everything! He’ll never leave us, we ALWAYS and forever have the help of Holy Spirit. 

In case we don’t feel like Jesus or His Holy Spirit is with us, we have His Word. We can thumb through the pages of scripture and see all the promises He has given us. Peter tells us that the Word of the Lord endures. Guess how long? Come on, take a guess how long God’s Word endures. FOREVER! Yes, forever. When we can’t feel His presence, we’ve only to go to His Word and see He is there. 

When we struggle to give thanks to the Lord forever, what we need is a perspective change. If He’s given us all these forevers, shouldn’t we at least try and thank Him each and every day for as long as we live here on earth? And as long as we live with Him? 

Forever.

Lord, I thank You and praise You for all You have done for me. You’ve given me a lifetime of forevers. May thanksgiving to you be always on my lips! In Jesus name, and with Holy Spirit power, I pray, Amen

Grace be with you,