Biblical Concept: Moment by Moment

Introduction

 

Human existence: A three second window with no guarantee beyond that.  In the three seconds, the heart beats between 3 and 6 times.  In the three seconds, a couple of breaths may be taken, or none at all.  In the three seconds, the eyes blink several times or not at all.  The eyes see only in the moment.  The mind thinks in the moment.  While thinking or speaking, the previous second affects the immediate second, while the following second is anticipated in a previous micro-second.[1]  With the mind, the past is remembered, the future is planned—only in three second segments.

 

Fortunately, for the Christian, a fleeting moment by moment human existence contains Divine promises of an eternal future; through belief in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.  Christians live with a moment-by-moment faith-based-hope.

 

Biblical Examples

 

NAS Job 34:20 "In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without a hand.  (Obviously: Humans can die in a moment.)

NAS Psalm 73:19 How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!  (Obviously: Humans can die in a moment.)

NAS Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Some three seconds matter, others do not.)

NAS Proverbs 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.  (Some three seconds matter, others do not.)

NAS 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  (A unique, a hopeful, eternal moment.)

NAS 2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,  (A three second cycle of suffering, for glory.)

NAS James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (A three second cycle of temptation, a three second cycle of sin, a three second cycle of death.  One can counter the cycle with volition, attitude of improvement, confession, flight, and education.)

NAS James 1:24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  (See 1:19-27, break the three second cycle of spiritual inconsistency.)

NAS James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  (Be spiritually wise with your three second cycles.)

NAS Psalm 39:4 "LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the extent of my days, Let me know how transient I am.  (Be spiritually wise with your three second cycles.)

NAS Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.  (Every day is a new spiritual day of three second cycles.)

 

Miscellaneous

 

NAS Numbers 4:20 but they shall not go in to see the holy objects even for a moment, lest they die."  (God and Israel.)

NAS Ezekiel 26:16 "Then all the princes of the sea will go down from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble every moment, and be appalled at you.  (God’s judgment on Tyre.)

NAS Ezekiel 32:10 "And I will make many peoples appalled at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid of you when I brandish My sword before them; and they shall tremble every moment, every man for his own life, on the day of your fall."  (God’s judgment on Egypt.)

NAS Luke 4:5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  (Different moments for angels.)

NAS Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.  (The three second cycle of corrective Divine discipline.)

NAS Matthew 13:21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.  (The three second cycle of spiritual pressure—the Angelic Conflict.)

NAS 2 Peter 1:14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 

NAS Isaiah 27:3 "I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. Lest anyone damage it, I guard it night and day.  (God and Israel.)

NAS Isaiah 54:7 "For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion I will gather you.  8 "In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you," Says the LORD your Redeemer.  (God and Israel.)

NAS Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the sons of Israel, 'You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I will do with you.'"  (God and Israel.)

NAS Matthew 8:3 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  (Divine healing occurs in a moment.)

NAS Matthew 20:34 And moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.  (Divine healing occurs in a moment.)

NAS Luke 18:43 And immediately he regained his sight, and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.  (Divine healing occurs in a moment.)

 

A-Z



[1] To me, the interaction of the mind and mouth is an amazing moment by moment process.