"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." [Psa 102:25-27]
We know how scripture says, “in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” [Gen 1:1] and how that it was in six literal days, for The LORD says, “in six days The LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” [Ex 20:11] But let us also be careful to remember Christ Jesus, God’s Son, was instrumental in creation (as well as The Spirit, for, “by the word of The LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath/spirit of His mouth.” [Psa 33:6]). For it is written in John’s gospel,
“In the beginning The Word had been existing, and The Word had been existing with God, and The Word had been existing as God. This One, [that is, The Word], had been existing in the beginning with God. All things come into being through Him; and without Him not one thing which has been created comes into being.” [Jn 1:1-3]
Jesus Christ, who is The Word – for John goes on to say, “The Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us.” [Jn 1:14] – created all things. When we read in the Old Testament, “by the word of The LORD were the heavens made,” or, “He commanded, and they were created,” [Psa 33:6; 148:5] we understand, through The Spirit’s New Testament revelations, that this was Christ Jesus. For it is through Jesus, who is The Word, that all things were created. As it is written by Paul, that Jesus is,
“The image of the invisible God, the firstborn [the most important, having the highest rank and position] of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before [superior to] all things, and by Him all things hold together.” [Col 1:15-17]
Not only were all things created by Jesus, but “all things were created…for Him.” Just as it says in Romans regarding God The Father, “for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever,” [Rom 11:36] so too it is true of Christ Jesus, so that we might truthfully read of both The Father and Christ, who are one, “thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they exist and were created.” [Rev 4:11] And even further than this, through Jesus “all things hold together.” That is, all things, whether tangible or intangible, all things are held together by Jesus; as it likewise says in Hebrews that Jesus “is upholding all things by the word of His power.” [Heb 1:3] Jesus Christ, by His will and by His word, upholds all things. Each atom that is in existence is upheld by Him; every molecule of our bodily structure, by Him; every good marriage, relationship, fellowship, entity, by Him – Jesus Christ is upholding all things and is superior to all things, possessing “a name which is above every name,” and being “far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” [Phil 2:9, Eph 1:21] This concept is not just novel to New Testament language, for the passage set before us today is speaking of Christ. As Hebrews quotes,
“But unto The Son He saith…thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” [Heb 1:8, 10-12, Psa 102:25-27]
Seeing as Jesus created all things, we can rightly conclude, as we are assured in this passage, that Jesus shall never change, not being created but eternal, as it says, “thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail;” and again, His “origins have been from old, from everlasting.” [Mic 5:2] This trait of Christ is also true of any person in the God-head, for “in [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead in bodily form;” [Col 2:9] as The Father says, “for I am The LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” [Mal 3:6] And again of Jesus, The Spirit says, “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” [Heb 13:8]
Though the heavens, which seem to be so permanent, and though the earth, which has remained firm since the foundation of it a few thousand years ago, yet they shall “perish…and…wax old as doth a garment.” Just as a garment acquires holes and tears, so too creation will grow old. But though it grows old, yet Christ remains, God remains, and His glorious word remains. If there be something we can see, it shall vanish eventually; but praise be to God that neither He nor His truth shall ever vanish. And to this, let us be reminded of the correct focus:
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” [2 Cor 4:18]
Therefore, let us look unto Christ; let us take great heed to the exhortation given and be “looking away from all else to gaze at Jesus the Originator and Completer of the faith.” [Heb 12:2] Yes, and further, let us be encouraged by His power. For again we read regarding creation, “as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed.” When the time is appropriate, The LORD shall create “a new heaven and a new earth.” [Rev 21:1] This present world and its heavens shall be changed. The Lord shall even change them as easily as one changes garments. Has there ever been a healthy man who struggled and sweat and strove to change shirts? Yea, there may have been, yet our God shall change the heaven and the earth as easily as one changes garments. Imagine for a moment the vastness of the stars and planets, the billions and billions of lightyears of expansive space; imagine, stand in awe, of the behemoth mountains and fascinating creatures; yea further, of the depth of the seas, caverns, and trenches – see and remember the power and majesty and glory of creation. And now read again the immense and overflowing power of Christ which knows no bounds, who, though creation be so great, yet He shall with ease “fold them up” as a single garment. The ease with which one folds cloth is the same ease with which God creates an entirely new heaven and earth. What power our Lord possesses! As it says, “now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” [Eph 3:20]
Meditate upon this truth, dear Christian. For the same God is over you and in you! The same Christ which created all things, upholds all things, and will change all things – and who did such things with great ease – is the same Christ which dwells in you, as we are encouraged, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” [Col 1:27] His power knows no bounds. Whatever we face, He is able to conquer, He is able to help. May He ever receive our praise and our supplications, for He is worthy and able. But if we have faltered, if we have not believed His power, may we be reminded of what The LORD Himself says, “behold, I am The LORD, The God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” [Jer 32:27] And again, from Jesus’ own mouth, “with God all things are possible.” [Mt 19:26] Let us take heart and believe Him! For there is not a situation that exists today in all the world, in all our life, (nor has there ever been or will be), which has even begun to test our Lord’s limits of strength. No, for He is utterly and exceedingly able to do above all we can imagine.
Click here to see more posts in Daily Meditations on Jesus’ Glory, Vol III