Thought for the Month - March 2015

"Loved before the dawn of time" by Barry Adair

It astounded me when I first read it and it still does today.

When I became a Christian I knew God loved me as He allowed Jesus to die for me. I also knew I had done absolutely nothing to merit this. Truly amazing grace! But as I read more of the Bible I came across this astounding truth…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. (Ephesians 1:3-4, emphasis mine)

Or, in a nutshell, God was thinking about me even before He created the world! Before God brought this Universe into existence, God thought about me! Even though I am sinful in 'word and deed', I was loved before the dawn of time! These statements might sound preposterous and yet they are fully consistent with God's word and we know that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Numbers 23:19).

Hundreds of our most eminent physicists in the world today are presently looking into the question of what was 'there' before the creation of the universe. Of course, most do not believe in a Creator but most do state that there was a creation event. There are a number of different ideas floating about and one of them intrigued me. Even though the idea of the supernatural is anathema to most scientists, a new theory holds to the idea of there being extra dimensions in the Universe i.e. more than just length, height, depth and time which we can observe. In fact I think they are now up to 10 or 12 dimensions, depending on which learned article you read! Read on if you want to know my humble understanding on what existed before the creation of the Universe.

Whenever you look in the Bible for what existed before the creation of the Universe there are only a couple of glimpses revealed for us. Apart from these mere peeks we can know nothing at all concerning this 'time'. The phrases "foundation of the world" and "before the Ages of Time" are used a few times in the Bible. In the Biblical passages which use these terms we see a perfect and loving Godhead (John 17:24). Although perfect in every way and with no need to create anything, we learn of the plan to create our Universe and to create us to be in fellowship with God. Not only that, but knowing in advance about the ultimate fall of man, we read that Salvation's plan was also formulated before our Universe existed! (1 Peter 1:18-20, 2 Tim. 1:9, 2 Thess. 2:13, Rev. 13:8).

And as for the answer of what existed before the creation of the Universe? It was LOVE, absolute love! Love between the Godhead and love towards a yet-to-be redeemed people!

"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Loved before the dawn of time!

Loved before the dawn of time,
Chosen by my Maker,
Hidden in my Saviour,
I am His and He is mine,
Cherished for eternity.

So with every breath that I am given
I will sing salvation's song;
And I'll join the chorus of creation
Giving praise to Christ alone.

Stars will fade and mountains fall;
Christ will shine forever,
Love's unfading splendour.
Earth and heaven will bow in awe,
Joining in salvation's song.

                               (words by Stuart Townend and Andrew Small)

As weak, foolish and sinful individuals - be astounded by His love today, returning unto Him all glory and honour and praise.

Until next month (dv)…

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!