Eternity

Isaiah 57:15   " For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."


In Sydney Australia in 1932, Arthur Stace heard the text of Isaiah 57 in a church sermon. The word “Eternity” from verse 15, (which in the King James Version of the Bible used at that time was the only place in the Bible in which the word was found) made a deep impression in Arthur’s mind. Arthur, who had experienced a very difficult upbringing and had little formal education, was to spend the next 35 years performing his own special ministry. In chalk, in beautiful copperplate handwriting, he ministered to the passing public by writing the word “Eternity” on footpaths around Sydney. It’s estimated he wrote the word at least half a million times.

In Australia there is a special compassion for the underprivileged which I think is a unique quality of this country, perhaps extending from our convict past. We use the term “battler”, never “loser”. We like to see the underdog triumph. There is something so genuine about Arthur’s simple faith, his commitment and dedication to doing just one Godly act so well, which still greatly impresses and commands respect from the Australian public and he is one of our national heroes.

Arthur died in 1967 at the age of 83. A permanent replica of his handwriting is embedded in the footpath near Sydney town hall. As the 21^st century began, his “Eternity” sign lit up the Sydney Harbour Bridge during celebratory fireworks, and was included in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Noted Australian poet Douglas Stewart has described him in verse:

"ETERNITY, it lades like morning dew,

Like morning dew and he is lost in it;

Yet one can say, as one can say of few,

It was the greatest of all the words he wrote"

Douglas Stewart "Arthur Stace" (fragment) 

Arthur reminded us all that God is eternal. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). We are also reminded by the word “Eternity” that we are finite beings. We will die, yet we have the opportunity, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, to spend eternity with Him. What a great promise is held in the verse of Isaiah. We can live forever, in the wonder and joy of knowing Jesus. Not only that, but if we come to Him now, in faith and humility, He will now revive our spirits and our hearts. He will create in us a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. (Psalm 51:10)

Eternity for the Christian does not begin when we die. It begins when we commit our lives to Him. God has promised in His word that He came to give us life to the full (John 10:10).  In this world we will have troubles, but we are not to fear, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will never leave us or forsake us ( Hebrews 13:5) and when we die, we have the assurance that He has already prepared a place in heaven for us in His Father’s house (John 14:2).

Eternity – there will be a time for us in heaven when all the cares and troubles of this world are ended, when pain and sorrow ceases, when we are reunited with loved ones gone before us, and when we will know the unfathomable experience of being with Jesus, forever loving and worshipping Him. To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 13, now we can only see through a glass darkly, but then we will see Him face to face. Now we only partly understand the things of God, then we will know Him as fully as we possibly can.  

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for reminding me this week that You are eternal.