From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Before

I've mentioned before that one of the attributes of God that really stands before all others, in my mind, is His eternal past.  Don't misread me, all of His attributes awe me, but the fact that HE was all of those other things "before" just leaves me "with my mouth hanging open" in wonder.  I would like to explore that thought for just a minute.
 
The word "before"
be- exist
fore- earlier; first in place, time, order, rank, etc.
 
Before there was anything or anyone to be, God was:   Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am HE: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  (Isaiah 43:10 (KJV)   Yea, before the day was I am HE.  (Isaiah 43:13 (KJV)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. i.e., HE was before. (John 1:1-2 (KJV)    We can't really conceive that, or even state it fully, but we must remember HE created all things, including the angels.  When there was nothing and no one else, God was.  Our God has always been God, completely.  To me, that means nothing can come along that is so powerful that HE has to "get stronger" to handle.  HE is always "ready, willing, and able" to handle it all.  Therefore, I can rest in that.
 
Before there was anywhere to be, God was already there: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.  (Psalms 90:2 (KJV)  I can't go or be taken anywhere that HE is not there already.  David addressed this somewhat when he wrote: Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  (Psalms 139:7-10 (KJV)  I can rest in that.

Before there was anything to know, God knew it all:  Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.   (Isaiah 42:9 (KJV)  God never learned anything.  God has always known all things, so nothing comes as a surprise to Him.  I can rest in that knowledge.

Before there was anything to compare to, God's glory was shining in preeminence over all: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.  (John 17:5 (KJV)  Nothing is greater, or above, my God.  I can rest in that.

Before there was anything to plan, God had planned it all: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,  (Ephesians 1:4 (KJV)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)  Nothing can come along and upset God's plan.  Although things may seem out of control at times,  HE is working all things together (Romans 8:28), and according to His plan and purpose. (Ephesians 1:11)  I can rest in that.

Before there was anything to love, God was doing just that: Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.  (John 17:24 (KJV)   Although I realize I would be impossible to love unconditionally, with no reservations, God loves me in just that way.  HE has had a lot of practice in loving.

Before I even realize what I need and can ask for it, God already knows it all.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him. (Matthew 6:8 (KJV)  I can rest in that.

Before there was anything to settle, God had settled it all:   And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from (before) the foundation of the world.  (Revelation 13:8 (KJV)   In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;  (Titus 1:2 (KJV)  HE has planned, prepared for, and settled everything.  I can rest in that.

No matter the "who, what, where, when, how, or why" of anything in your life; remember, your God is and was God before it!  You can rest in that attribute!  AMEN!!!!

Ben

 

 
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