4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,    

and give thanks to his holy name.

5 For his anger is but for a moment,  and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:4-5 (ESV)

Nothing lasts forever.

In a zero degree freezer, raw steaks last about 6-12 months.  Bacon only one month.  (And, really, bacon deserves better than to be stuck in a chest freezer.)

Stoves should be good for 10-15 years.

Carbon-14 has a half life of 5730 years before it is no longer radioactive.

Senator Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster on the floor of the U.S. Senate – the longest in history – lasted 24 hours and 18 minutes.

Iron Butterfly’s “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida” lasts 17 minutes.

“Back to the Future” ran for about six months at the theatre I worked at during my first attempt at college.  We also showed “Out of Africa” which lasts 161 minutes.  

Without the intermission.

I could have sworn it was a lot longer.

Nothing lasts forever.  Except, of course, God and eternity.  But, on this earth, everything has a shelf life.

That includes the pain of our troubles. 

God is so good to His children.  He poured His unending love and grace upon us.  He gives us peace to face our problems.  He lifts us out, or guides us through, every storm.  Indeed, as Jesus showed us, He is master over life’s storms.  

Tonight, whatever you’re facing, don’t face your troubles alone.  Give them to the Lord.  Trust in His greatness and goodness.  Sleep well. Rest in Him.

And, no matter how things may appear, remember that God has a plan.  He is in control.  And everything is ok.

Nothing lasts forever.  Except the Lord and His goodness, love and mercy.