Watts on Time

In my recent studies it has been interesting to observe that modern science adds light to the doctrine of the eternality of God. According to physicists time can only exist with objects. It is not a steady or self-sufficient quality. That means time had a beginning since objects had a beginning—the big bang, as some report. Further, time is relative to objects. In a black hole, where objects and light are absorbed into the smallest mass, ten minutes can be the equivalent of several centuries on the earth. This, of course, gives new and practical insight to 2 Peter 3:8 which says, 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. Isaac Watts in his hymn “O God, Our Help In Ages Past” lays out the practical truths of this doctrine:

1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.

As the fifth stanza of this hymn reads, time needs to be relatavized in view of eternity. Time is almost as a dream that dies at the opening day. Our life is short, as a "vapor waiting to pass." We needs to number our days, as such. This is done by faith and wisdom. This helps us to understand that "this too will pass" when life seems unbearable. We need to live from an eternal perspective. But for us today it is done a little more by fact since science has given us tremendous insight into the relativity of time and makes eternity take on more depth to our finite minds.