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How 'permanent' is permanent

I have those moments when I see everything as fleeting - like time running away from me, unable to really catch up with it. In those moments I have to remind myself that a thousand years are like a day to God, so if he is in control, time is in his hands - it might slip through mine, but I know he's got everything coming together just the way it needs to be. God's Word is a declaration - what he declares is permanent - it is fixed and sure. We can stand upon his Word - a sure foundation when all else seems to be crumbling around us, or time seems as fleeting as a piece of paper in a windstorm. 

What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as relevant as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I’m all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I’m only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can’t contain your commands! (Psalm 119:93)

There are limits to all things done by humans - but God doesn't know those limits himself. He has no bounds to his power, knowledge, presence, and wisdom. Let's be truthful here - we put limits on ourselves, just about as often as others put limits on us. We think God won't do something he has declared he will do in our lives - because we are 'too unworthy', 'aren't good enough', 'fail too often', or some such excuse. Let's debunk that myth once and for all - in Christ, you are always worthy and when you stumble, he picks you up so you are upright and able to move on.

Hard times come - things we feel deeply in our inner man. We are challenged emotionally, burdened intellectually, and hindered spiritually - not because we don't have what it takes - but because we don't realize what it is we have! It is in those times of self-doubt and worry that God 'declares' his truth. He reveals himself to us in a fresh way - so we will not be put down by the worries or dwell in the mire of self-doubt. If your main goal in life is to follow the plans God has laid out for your life, you are always on sure ground - even when life seems to be dealing you a tough hand or time doesn't seem to be on your side.

It bears repeating - what God says goes - and it stays! It is is permanent - not fleeting. His Word is something we can stand on when self-doubt comes along nipping at our hind end. It is the sure footing we need when we are finding ourselves stumbling around from one thing to another, seemingly lost in the confusion of the moment. Do you know what permanent means? I have 'permanent' markers, but do you know what? They can be erased! It takes the right amount of elbow grease and the right amount of chemical, but it is possible. 

I don't think we realize how 'permanent' God's Word (his declared revelation) is in our lives because we may have a flawed perception of permanence. Permanence means something will exist perpetually - there is no stopping it. It is everlasting and unchanging. Let that sink in for a minute or two - God's Word (his revealed truth in your life) is not going to change. Regardless of the conditions - it is immovable and undaunted by those things that come against it. We can stand on it - but we have to get to know it if we are ever to stand upon it! Just sayin! 

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