Lighting the candle: Putting your trust in a self-existent, eternal God

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in people. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put your confidence in human leaders…Our help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth – Psalms 118:8-9; 124:8

Self-existence and eternity are “natural attributes” of God. Natural attributes of God are those characteristics that are ‘unique’ with God and can hence not be shared or ascribed to human beings or any creation. Such attributes are found in God alone. Self-existence, as a natural attribute of God, simply entails that God has the ground of His existence in Himself.

As the self-existent God, He is not only independent in Himself, but also causes everything to depend on Him. He neither depends anything from us nor need anything from the rest of creation for His existence. This is clearly illustrated by Apostle Paul, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples build by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:24-25).

God was never created but created all, and that he never came into being, for He always was. This is best presented in David’s song: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2). The heavenly choir (the twenty-four elders) add: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).

As an eternal God Yahweh has neither beginning nor end. “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” The four living creatures also sing of Yahweh’s eternity day and night, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:8).  However, despite having no beginning or end God causes “beginnings” and “ends” over His creation.

Consistent with His nature as a self-existent, eternal God, Yahweh knows our past, present and even the future. The fact that He knows our future, grants us the confidence and assurance that all our affairs, situations or anxieties are under His control. In other words, God is sovereign over all our situations.

Such an assurance enables us to approach 2017 with optimism and great hope, knowing that the self-existent, eternal God has great plans for us in the New Year. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). No wonder David shouts in confidence that His trust is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth- a self-existent, eternal God. As such, David’s confidence or trust is no longer in worldly kings or people but rather in the sovereign God.

It’s time to light the candle as we put our trust in a self-existent and eternal God

“Light shines in darkness, and darkness did not overcome it”- John 1: 5

 

Feedback:[email protected]

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!