God is Changless

In January this year, Freedom in Christ Ministries founder and author Neil Anderson (The Bondage Breaker, Victory over the Darkness) started blogging. This appeared earlier this month under the title, God is Immutable.

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever” (Is, 40:8).

The Word and character of God never changes. That stands in stark contrast to that of humanity, which is in a constant state of flux. The changeless nature of God is what makes Him the ultimate object for our faith. The writer of Hebrews says,

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:7,8).

The writer doesn’t say that we should imitate the good behavior of those who lead us. Our faith is not based on humanity no matter how well they behave. We should consider first the outcome of the lives of teachers who profess to know God and live by faith, then imitate what they believe if their lives are bearing the fruit of righteousness. In which case, the object of their faith is God and His word, which never changes.

Fallen humanity has “worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25). Trusting only in ourselves or others has led many astray, because there are no perfect people. We have not been able to solve our own problems much less save ourselves. Humanity has found some stability by trusting in the fixed order of the universe, especially the solar system. We set our watches by it and plan our calendars. Suppose the sun rose two hours late tomorrow. The whole world would be thrown into chaos and everyone would be extremely anxious about the next day. It takes months or years to establish faith in someone or something. One act of unfaithfulness or inconsistency can destroy trust. It may take months or years of consistent and faithful behavior in order to rebuild trust. In fact you would be foolish to put your trust in someone or something which is unfaithful or unreliable. That is one reason why human relationships are so fragile.

That is not the case concerning our relationship with God. Knowing that God is faithful and never changes is what gives us stability in our lives. If we have faith in the creation, how much faith should we have in the Creator who sustains the fixed order of the universe?

“What if some choose not to believe in God? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:3,4).

God’s word is true whether we believe it or not and He will never change to accommodate us, because God is under no obligation to humanity. When God keeps His word and His covenant He is being faithful to Himself. He is the rock of our salvation who changes not.

God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill (Numbers 23:19)?

~Dr. Neil http://www.discipleshipcounsel.com For Spanish see ficmm.org/blog

Taking Refuge in the Lord

Today is a double-header. Before we move to the scripture and video, here is something from the blog of David Kenney which appeared recently under the title God Gave.

The scriptures speak of a God who is a giving God.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

God gave Adam and Eve clothing to cover themselves

God gave Noah an exit strategy and a plan for the ark

God gave Abraham a promise to increase his name and his lineage.

God gave Sarah a precious miracle, a child in her old age,

God gave Isaac a ram to take the place of his son

God gave Jacob the privilege to father twelve sons who were destined to become
heads of the 12 tribes of Israel, the people of the Lord.

God gave Joseph a position as prime minister in Egypt that he might rescue his own from the terrible famine in the days ahead.

God gave Moses the power to work miracles before Pharaoh and to prove that God’s hand was still with his people.

God gave Joshua the proposition to cross the Jordan and lead the armies of Israel to victory in Canaan.

God gave the Israelites possession of the land flowing with milk and honey.

God gave kings to preside over His chosen people and blessed those who walked in His ways.

God gave prophets to plead with His people and tell them of amazing things to come.

God gave the scriptures to prophesy of a Messiah, a Prophet, a Priest, a King, and a Savior who would one day come to deliver and save.

God gave the shepherds a pronouncement by the angels that Jesus was born.

God gave the wise men a star to lead them to the young child with their gifts.

God gave Bethlehem the preeminence of all cities on earth, because it was there that Jesus was born.

God gave Joseph the patience and tolerance to understand the strange circumstances of a virgin with child.

God gave Mary the present coveted by all girls of Jewish history – the Christ child.

God gave the world his Son

God gave Jesus the place of sinners on the cross to bear the sorrow and shame.

and God gave humanity grace for their sins that they might know the joy of everlasting life.

The scriptures speak of a God who is a giving God.

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It’s been awhile since I posted a worship song here, and this one is a classic from Maranatha! Music’s Psalms Alive series. I was reminded of this song not by reading Psalm 11, but from a medley of verses at today’s Daily Encouragement reading:

“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8). “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” (Isaiah 41:10). “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).

If you’re looking for more content today, click over to Daily Encouragement using the link above. Here’s the song, followed by Psalm 11 from the NIV.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

¹ In the Lord I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
² For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
³ When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
    his eyes examine them.
⁵ The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.
⁶ On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷ For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face.