Forever

Forever 

Monday, May 5, 2025 

I’m not sure that any mortal human can comprehend the word, “forever”. We can try to imagine it, but forever is tough for mortals to comprehend. We can’t understand or comprehend how something or someone has always been and will always be…forever. 

This is where faith comes into our lives. We believe God’s Word to be true and we accept that truth by faith. God is forever. God has always been, and God will always be. God is forever. God is without beginning and God is without end. God is forever. 

This is how the Prophet Habakuk describes our Eternal and Forever God. 

Habakkuk 3:3-6 (NLT) 

I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise. 4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden. 5 Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind. 6 When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One! 

How could we sinful mortals possibly survive an encounter with this all powerful and eternal God of heaven? Did you notice it…Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind. How could we possibly have fellowship with Him? How could we experience God without being destroyed by His splendor and glory? 

This is the same question that came up during the time of Moses and Israel. In this scene God has revealed his terrifying glory to Moses and the Children of Israel and this was the terrifying response from the people. I ask you to carefully read though this scene between God and Israel. 

Deuteronomy 5:22-27 (NLT) 

“The LORD spoke these words to all of you assembled there at the foot of the mountain. He spoke with a loud voice from the heart of the fire, surrounded by clouds and deep darkness. This was all he said at that time, and he wrote his words on two stone tablets and gave them to me. 

23 “But when you heard the voice from the heart of the darkness, while the mountain was blazing with fire, all your tribal leaders and elders came to me. 

24 They said, ‘Look, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live! 

25 But now, why should we risk death again? If the LORD our God speaks to us again, we will certainly die and be consumed by this awesome fire. 

26 Can any living thing hear the voice of the living God from the heart of the fire as we did and yet survive? 

27 Go yourself [Moses] and listen to what the LORD our God says. Then come and tell us everything he tells you, and we will listen and obey.’ 

God had revealed His Eternal Glory and Power to Israel, and they were terrified. They had survived the encounter, but feared they would not survive the next one. They asked Moses to stand in the priestly gap from that time forward so they would not all be destroyed. 

God was watching their response. God was listening when the people spoke to Moses in that moment. And this is what God said…this is so powerful today. 

Deuteronomy 5:28-29 (NLT) 

“The LORD heard the request you made to me. And he said, ‘I have heard what the people said to you, and they are right. 29 Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. 

This is the heart that God wanted from Israel… Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! This is where the word, “forever” comes in. If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. 

Can you see it today? God has offered “forever” to the descendants of Abraham (Jews and Gentiles who will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior—Galatians 3:7) for those who will fear God and obey his commands. But where is our priestly Moses today. Who will stand between mortal man and God today? His name is Jesus and He is our Moses. He is our Forever High Priest and He is our way, the only way to God and forever. 

Hebrews 7:22-25 (NLT) 

Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. 23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 

No mortal/sinful man can survive their encounter with God without Jesus. 

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NLT) 

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 

29 For our God is a devouring fire. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper