Eternity

Have you been to a doctor’s office lately? It is not filled with people who are well. The healthy have no need for corrective lenses, antibiotics, heart medication, cancer treatments, hearing aids, or surgery. As Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician.” But when vision becomes blurry, the infection won’t go away, chest pains come, and concerning symptoms occur, you head to a doctor right away.

Does it strike you as odd that the name Everlasting Father is a name in Scripture that describes God the Son? As we continue our study of the names of God, let’s consider how the name, Father, can describe Jesus.

Let’s think about the word “hope”—what does it mean? Some people hope it doesn’t rain, while others hope the rain comes soon. Some hope something goes away; others hope something shows up. Some people are hopeful. Some are hopeless. Some people find hope, while others lose it.

What’s on your mind? What do you find yourself thinking about? What are the default thoughts that occupy your mental energy?

Does God really love me? Is this the best God has for me? Why is God holding out on me? These questions, which have echoed through the ages, started in the garden when Satan showed up to bring down Adam and Eve. After Satan told Eve that God’s Word was not true, he moved to God’s motive.

Life is short. Everyone dies. Eternity is long. God offers the free gift of life. Why do people choose not to believe in the gospel? Why do some see the message of Jesus as unattractive? Why do others communicate that this free gift is actually not free at all, but one must work to attain it? The answer to all these questions is Satan. Here is what he does.

When Jesus taught us how to talk to the Father in what we call the Lord’s Prayer, he instructed us to pray, “your kingdom come.” Why did Jesus tell us to include this in our prayers? 1 Corinthians 15 helps us answer that question.

Today’s devotional is in memory of Tunch Ilkin. Tunch has been with the Lord for almost two years, and—like many who are reading or listening to this devo—I still miss him dearly. Tunch loved Jesus. He loved his family. And he loved to minister to men. Tunch was one of a kind, and he left a lasting impact.

Grace is the entire package. It initiates our relationship with God and takes us all the way home.