When we are young we feel invincible. No matter how reckless we live, we can’t imagine anything bad happening to us. But reality sinks in as we grow older and begin to recognize all kinds of dangers that surround us daily. Troubled by physical ailments, we realize that our bodies will not last forever. As family members die, we become more conscious of the fact that our days are also numbered. The older we get, the shorter our lifespan seems to us. And at any point in life, whether young or old, our awareness of these sober truths can be intensified by serious illness. This is what the author of Psalm 102 experienced. Sickness had pushed him into a dark place. Discouraged and in distress, he offered up a lament much like what we read in the book of Job (v 1-11). But in his weakness the psalmist turned to God, who is not weak. The LORD is enthroned forever and remembered throughout all generations. So the psalmist found refuge in Him, trusting God’s eternal sovereignty (v 12-22). Now in this final section of the psalm, it’s almost like a reprise, as the psalmist repeats his complaint and also turns once again to anchor himself in God. But this time he stresses the LORD’s eternity even more forcefully. He talks about God being present from the beginning to lay “the foundation of the earth” and to fashion the heavens with His hands (v 23-25). Though His creation will not last forever, God will still be present at the end. Everything He has made will eventually pass away like a worn-out garment. But the LORD had no beginning and He will have no end. Praise God that He remains the same as He has always been, unchanged and unchangeable! As the frail children of God, we are thus eternally secure, for God is eternally committed to preserve His servants in every generation (v 26-28). The New Testament writer of Hebrews quotes verses 25-27 word for word, in praise of Jesus Christ. So this psalm turns out to be Messianic, an address of God the Father to His eternal Son. And it is likely from this same passage that the author of Hebrews later draws the magnificent conclusion that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Reading the entire psalm through this Messianic lens, it becomes clear that “Jesus is the one through whom Zion is restored, the Gentile nations converted, future generations of the church raised up and preserved, and those who have been enslaved to sin delivered from their spiritual bondage. Anchored in eternity means anchored in Jesus Christ” (James M. Boice). For further meditation: