The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27). Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31).
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).
Nothing about infinity makes sense to us. We simply can’t relate to it. All our experience is marked by beginnings and endings. We’re born, we die. Sunrise, sunset. Arrive, depart. So when it comes to meditating on God’s boundless, limitless, timeless nature, we’re dumbstruck. How are we to make sense of infinity, much less celebrate it in God?
All throughout the Scriptures, the limitlessness of God is seen as a catalytic source of hope and comfort. In Deuteronomy, the people of Israel were given the laws of God, being reminded (even after their disobedience) that covenant with God was still possible. Here he reminds them, “I am your eternal dwelling place, and my everlasting arms hold you.” See, God’s infinity is actually wonderful news for us, because unless God is limitless in wonder and strength, then relationship with him isn’t all that great.
What do I mean? The law of diminishing returns. This is that law of human experience that says that the second time you do something, it won’t be as amazing as the first. They say that addicts are always chasing after their first high. Concert goers are constantly seeking that next great musical experience. We know, if only from our life experience, that nothing lasts forever. “All good things must come to an end,” we’re told. We believe it, and move on. If God were limited, then he would be no different. He would end, and we would have no hope.
But God is different. Because God is eternal, infinite, and limitless, we know that we will never run out of God at which to be amazed. We’ll never exhaust his power, wonder, or perfection. That’s why relationship with God is so wonderful. God is the only being who can ceaselessly and eternally satisfy the longings of our heart. Each moment with God leads to greater wonder, on into forever.
His limitless power is source of great encouragement. But sometimes, we need reminding. In Isaiah, we read such an encouragement. Ours is the everlasting God. He does not get tired. He does not need a rest. He does not stop pursuing us. And what’s more, he does not run out of power and passion to pour into our hearts. He is the beginning, and he is the end.
Our limitless God has a name—Jesus. Jesus states repeatedly in the Revelation that he is the alpha and omega. He’s the bookends to existence, and that’s great news of us, if we know him. If Jesus is our treasure and joy, and if we’re his by grace, then we wonderful future. We will see him forever, and every consecutive moment with him will be greater than the moment before—forever!
Jesus, thank you for your limitless worth. You will be praised forever. Today, uphold me. You are the everlasting God. You don't grow faint or weary. You don't run out of strength or wisdom. Please sustain me with your mighty right hand, and your infinite might.
Today, as I consider all I must face, all I'm praying for, and all that we're asking you do as a church, help me to also consider your strength and power. You will never run out of grace or help, and for that I will praise you forever.
Amen.