Just when you thought you could see a light at the end of the tunnel, the light bulb burns out.

This pandemic sort of feels like that, doesn’t it?

It almost looked like we were getting a handle on COVID-19, and then along comes the Omicron variant. At this juncture it still remains to be seen just how benign or destructive Omicron will be, and whether it will displace the Delta variant. But it’s not the news we wanted to hear, was it?

And there’s always the possibility that other variants may develop in the future. With each of them now being named after a Letter of the Greek alphabet, I’m learning a bit more Greek these days than I cared to!

But really, there are only two letters of the Greek alphabet that believers need to focus on, and they’re not Delta and Omicron.

They’re Alpha and Omega.

These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In the Bible, this pair of letters represents both God the Father and Jesus Christ.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:8)

Later in the same chapter, Jesus applies this symbolic concept to Himself when speaking to John:

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)

In the early days of Christianity, the letters Alpha and Omega were used as a monogram of Christ, and they became His crest. They’ve been used for centuries since in Christian art.

But what do the letters Alpha and Omega mean to us today?

They signify that God is eternal. His character, purposes and promises don’t change. He is sovereign over everything.

God existed before this pandemic and He will outlast it.

So you can trust Him to carry you through whatever difficulties you face.

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

God never promised us a life without hardship and challenges. But He did promise to always be with us. Jesus said:

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

So no matter what happens in your life, hold fast to the everlasting and unchanging God. The eternal God, the Alpha and Omega, loves you and is on your side.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future!

© 2021 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.