Eternal and Immortal

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17 NASB

As nations grappled with the devastation of World War I, Carl Nielsen wrote his Symphony No. 4 in 1916. Nielsen, born in Denmark on this day in 1865, gained fame as a composer. He is best remembered for his six symphonies with their innovative melodies and harmonies.

Nielsen chose to call this The Inextinguishable Symphony, using fiery brass and riveting persecution to express this motif. He focused on this word because the world seemed obsessed with destruction.

His idea was to find one word that could impart “the basic will to live.” To Nielsen, “music is life and, like life, inextinguishable.” However, as Nielsen himself discovered, life on earth does have an end. Nothing is truly inextinguishable.

People still look for something inextinguishable that provides lasting security and meaning. But the Bible reminds us that nothing on earth lasts forever. “No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” All these pursuits are “like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14 NLT).

What is the answer? Trust in God. He is “eternal, immortal, invisible.” He never changes. He is God throughout all eternity, no matter what happens on earth. Everything else changes, but His Word “stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

The world is unstable. Be sure God is your rock, your fortress, your deliverer (Psalm 18:2).

Reflection Question: Journal about the faithfulness of God throughout the changes in your life.