By Dr. Verlyn Fontaine Waterman | Who Is She! Blog
Life’s journey often presents us with trials that seem unending, leading many to grapple with the weight of prolonged hardship. In such times, scripture offers profound insights, encouraging believers to adopt a divine perspective on time and suffering.
God’s Timeless Perspective
The Bible illustrates the vast difference between human and divine perceptions of time. Psalm 90:4 reflects, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Similarly, 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” These metaphors emphasize that our lengthy trials, though burdensome, are fleeting in the scope of eternity.
Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8—are not mathematical formulas but metaphors meant to express God’s relationship to time versus ours. Still, we can draw a conceptual calculation from them to help grasp the contrast between divine time and human time.
Psalm 90:4: “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”
2 Peter 3:8: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
These verses suggest that God exists outside of time—He is eternal, not bound by linear chronology. But let’s explore it mathematically for contemplation:
Symbolic Calculation:
If we literalize the metaphor for understanding purposes:
1 Day (God’s Time) = 1,000 Years (Human Time)
Thus:
1 Hour (God’s Time) = 1,000 years ÷ 24 hours = ~41.67 years (Human Time)
1 Minute (God’s Time) = 41.67 years ÷ 60 minutes = ~8.33 months
1 Second (God’s Time) = 8.33 months ÷ 60 seconds = ~4.17 days
Spiritual Insight:
This metaphor illustrates that:
What feels long and drawn-out to us is often just a moment in the divine scheme.
God’s delays are not denials, but operations from a higher realm of timelessness.
Eternity transcends urgency—what we rush to resolve, God already sees completed.
In seasons of waiting or enduring hardship, recognize that God’s timeline isn’t misaligned—it’s perfectly orchestrated. Our trials may feel like a lifetime, but to God, they are but a breath. This perspective invites us to trust divine timing, rest in divine patience, and hope in divine promises.
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10 KJV
Purpose in Suffering
Scripture consistently teaches that suffering is not without purpose. Romans 5:3-4 states, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This progression highlights that enduring hardships refines our character and strengthens our hope.
James 1:12 further encourages, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Such passages assure believers that enduring trials leads to divine reward and spiritual maturation.
God’s Sustaining Presence
In moments of profound struggle, it’s vital to remember God’s unwavering presence. Isaiah 41:10 offers comfort: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This promise underscores that we are never alone, even in our darkest hours.
Similarly, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 acknowledges, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” These verses highlight the resilience granted through faith, ensuring that adversity does not have the final say.
Encouragement to Persevere
Hebrews 12:1-3 exhorts believers to draw inspiration from Jesus’ endurance: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus… Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” By focusing on Christ’s example, we find the strength to persist through our own trials.
While human suffering can feel interminable, adopting God’s eternal perspective reveals its transient nature. Scripture assures us that our trials serve a greater purpose, refining our character and deepening our faith. By anchoring ourselves in these truths and relying on God’s steadfast presence, we can navigate hardships with renewed hope and unwavering perseverance.
Dr. Verlyn