An Eternal Perspective
An Eternal Perspective
A few weeks ago, I was seeking God as I walked through my neighborhood. I had progressed through a blessed season of praise, giving thanks, and meditating on His character. Then I confessed my sins and believed in the blood of Jesus for cleansing. After this time of worshipping God and focusing on Jesus, I turned my attention to asking for the Spirit’s help for the day.
I regularly ask God for five aspects of the Spirit in one quick phrase since I am not saying this prayer out loud. I asked God to fill me with His Spirit, lead me by His Spirit. I also sought God’s to help me walk in the Spirt, and sow to the Spirit. Lastly I asked God to put pour His love into my heart by His Spirit*. I then sensed the Spirit of God responding with six words, “I have. I am. I will.”
I Have
These words caused me to pause and reflect. As I am typing this newsletter, I am not conveying the speed in which my mind was working that morning. In seconds, images were moving quickly through my mind about how the Spirit had been present in my life from hearing the gospel to right now. I thought about how the Spirit convicted me of sin and how I knew in my heart that I was a sinner when I was first presented with the gospel. This the work of the Spirit. He has continued to convict me faithfully over the ensuing years.
It was also the Spirit who had pointed me to Jesus, and introduced me to the Savior on the side of a mountain in Colorado as a teen. A few years later, the good Spirit helped me take a step of consecration, saying “Jesus is Lord.” Through all the dark valleys I grief I have endured, He has steadfastly and lovingly comforted me and been by my side.
I Am
Then I thought of how He is with me now. Six years ago, I asked God to help me experience the “fellowship of the Spirit” spoken of in the last verse of 2 Corinthians. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT)
I realized I was experiencing this blessed fellowship right at this very moment. The Spirit is has been with me in the past, and is also in the present.
I Will
In these six words, “I have – I am – I will” He was communicating to me that just as He has helped me in the past and is with me in the present, He would continue to be at my side in the future. I remembered that passage in Hebrews where the Spirit is called the “Eternal Spirit” (Hebrews 9:14).
Several days later, I was carrying a particularly heavy burden for a member of our family. I was asking God to supernaturally help all the parties involved. Once again, He responded; “I have – I am – I will.”
I paused to reflect how many times God has helped our family. Images and memories of His amazing care flooded my heart and mind. Then I thought of how He was helping us now. Now He was patiently assuring me that He would also be with us in the future, for “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Test the Spirits
As I continued to meditate on the eternal nature of the Holy Spirit, I also pondered on the eternal nature of the Father and the Son. Each member of the Trinity is from everlasting to everlasting.
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” (Exodus 3:14)
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’” (John 8:58)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself.” (Hebrews 9:14)
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)
O God Our Help in Ages Past
I have been continuing the practice of singing as I seek God and come into His presence, which I described in the last newsletter. A few days after hearing “I have-I am-I will” the song that came to my mind, as I walked up the street seeking God, was “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” As I sang the words, I was edified by the past-present-future components in the verses.
1. O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
3. Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.
6. O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home.
Forever
I am still feasting on these words, and having my faith strengthened, knowing that the Everlasting God, the great I AM, has been with me, is with me, and will be with me, forever.
Throughout this Holyday season, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT)
Steve
Parents Know Best Conference
On January 26, 2019, Building Faith Families will be sponsoring a one day conference to encourage and share resources with parents. This event is free. More information will be forthcoming and posted on the website here. Mark your calendar and I hope to see you there. http://parentsknowbestconference.com
*Passages referenced in the first paragraph:
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5)
“All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
“Be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
“The one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)