Louise Gevers

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”Isaiah 40:6-8

Autumn in the Western Cape is a beautiful time of budding flowers, and foliage becoming greener with the first rains, as the season ushers in crisp mornings and sunny days. For all inhabitants of earth,“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die …” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Seasons come and seasons go, each one unique and rich in beauty and experience, as do we, but the word of God is not only here for a season – it is eternal. It is the essence of God which will be our firm foundation in this world and the next. In it is everything we’ll ever need to guide us in living on earth, and reaching eternity.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, who is writing towards the end of his life, has seen all the different experiences of man and realises that we live in tension with time. Time is how we structure our lives on earth, and yet we also live with the sense of infinity which is timeless. It is God who, “has set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)which the writer perceives, andhe decides that, “there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God.” (Eccelesiastes 3:12-13)

At this point in time we know so much more through the Word. We can live and play; we can work hard and achieve; we can observe and celebrate the times and occasions in our lives, yet we find that we are not truly satisfied by these things deep within ourselves: we’re always striving for more. It is the difference between the temporal and the eternal. Things meant for this earth have limited value because they are finite; things meant for eternity are everlasting and are the true treasure.

It is the One who, “is the same yesterday and today and forever” who said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20)It’s only when we are in a relationship, and in daily fellowship with Jesus, who lives in eternity, that we will know fulfilment in this life. Everything we do here on earth will have a purpose and bring us joy,but the real, everlasting reward is in eternity.

Paul encourages the Corinthians in this: “Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we celebrate and glorify You as the eternal Living Word. It’s Your presence in our lives that provides timeless treasure as the link between earth and eternity and gives us reason to celebrate every day. Thank You for being with us through every season of our lives. Amen