"But Thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and Thy remembrance unto all generations." [Psa 102:12]
David speaks of the life of a man in another Psalm, saying, “man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.” [Psa 144:4] He also said in Chronicles, in a prayer to God, “for we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on earth are as a shadow and there is none abiding.” [1 Ch 29:15] It is a common saying among wise men, that the life of a man is like a shadow; for Solomon also said, perhaps influenced by David his father, that the life of a man is likened to vapor and is that “which he spendeth as a shadow.” [Eccl 6:12] This is a truth we must all inevitably come to agree with; and it is far better to acknowledge it early rather than later. As Moses, who lived to one hundred and twenty years declared, “so teach us to number our days, that we may acquire a heart of wisdom.” [Psa 90:12]
But though our lives are as a shadow which is seemingly here today and gone tomorrow, yet there is still hope and joy in the thought. For while we look at ourselves and at others, and see both quickly fading away as time trudges onward, it should be to us a constant reminder that we serve an eternal God and an everlasting Christ who is far unlike us, but who, in all the ways we fail, gloriously completes us: for Paul says, “ye are complete in Him.” [Col 2:10] We read in the Psalms, “my days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered away like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance unto all generations.” [Psa 102:11-12] There is great comfort in this, “for such an high priest [as Jesus] is fitting for us,” who is so enduring from age to age and who often proclaims to our feeble hearts, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” [Heb 7:26, Rev 1:8] Although we as men and women are sinners, yet our Glorious Priest and God, Jesus Christ, is “separate from sinners” and “did no sin” and “knew no sin;” [Heb 7:26, 1 Pe 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21] yes, and although we are weak and filthy yet He “is holy, harmless, [and] undefiled;” [Heb 7:26] and though we are mortal and feeble, quickly perishing, yet our strong Christ and Rock is, “from everlasting to everlasting.” [Psa 90:2]
Is it not an encouragement to us that no matter what area we fail in or are naturally weak in, Jesus is overwhelmingly strong in? Is it not such an exceeding comfort for us, that He who is eternal, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting,” [Mic 5:2] is our King and our Savior? And that though our lives on earth are short, yet His life is eternal? And moreover, that though our lives upon earth are brief, yet we are gloriously promised of Jesus that He shall “raise [us] up again at the last day,” and again, “whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die?” [Jn 6:39; 11:26] Those who have been regenerated by His Spirit must conclude with a victorious ‘Yes!’ for through Jesus we have an “everlasting encouragement and good hope through grace.” [2 Th 2:16]
It is a glorious truth that God is eternal, that His remembrance shall endure to every generation. Though we all die and will be forgotten and, “that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten,” [Eccl 2:16] yet, there will never be a generation or day where Jesus will be forgotten. No, in no wise, for there will never in the history of all mankind, even after this earth is destroyed, no matter how many billions of years may elapse, where the glorious and high name of Jesus will not be remembered. Just as the flame of the lampstand was “to burn always,” [Ex 27:20] so too the flame of Christ shall never be snuffed, but shall endure for all eternity. Praise be to God.
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