Dave and I have been camping at City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico. It’s a beautiful place – peaceful and secluded.
The rock formations are spectacular! Out in the middle of nowhere, these stately spires rise. After a long walk, not quite a hike, yesterday morning we stopped in at the Visitor Center.
The writing on the walls told of a great volcanic eruption and the lava flow that formed the huge boulders. They provide many niches for camping and trails for hiking. Also written there was the information that all of this occurred 34.9 million years ago. A brochure that I picked up and took back to the trailer stated that it has been 33 million years ago.
34.9 or 33 million doesn’t seem to be the point. I’m not sure about either of those dates but I am confident of one thing.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters…Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. 10 God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:1-9 NLT
Every time we go out on a trip like this I am reminded again and again that God is the one who created this beauty. He has been here from the start! He created all of this for our enjoyment. And Jesus was here too.
“But about His Son, He says, “O God, Your throne will last forever. Whatever You say in Your nation is right and good. 9 You have loved what is right. You have hated what is wrong. That is why God, Your God, has chosen You. He has poured over You the oil of joy more than over anyone else.” 10 He said also, “Lord, You made the earth in the beginning. You made the heavens with Your hands. 11 They will be destroyed but You will always be here. They will all become old just as clothes become old. 12 You will roll up the heavens like a coat. They will be changed. But You are always the same. You will never grow old.” Hebrews 1:8-12 NLV
There is not a moment of this planet’s existence that God doesn’t know about. He was here at the creation and He will be here when it is gone – however many years that will be.
He will always be the same!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLV
His love, goodness, mercy, grace and kindness will always be – that will never change. He has been reaching out to every generation with His plan of salvation.
These rock formations will someday be gone. But 34.9 million years in the future the love of God will be the same!