1/6/2021 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
Change is inevitable. The world is full of change. On Monday House Speaker Nancy Pelosi changed the rules: in an effort to be inclusive to those who don’t identify as a specific gender, her new rule strips all mention of gender-specific pronouns and terms such as “man,” “woman,” “mother,” and “son.”
Also on Monday, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo) ended a prayer in Congress by saying… “And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore, we ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and God known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman.”
President-elect Biden has promised to make many changes in the first 100 days of his presidency. This is no longer the country that George Washington helped create; as matter of fact it is no longer the country that my father and mother grew up in. Change is happening, because change is inevitable.
And it is not only happening in the political world. A while back I turned my radio dial to listen to an all-talk station and it had been changed to an “oldies” station. You no longer can go into stores without a mask… there was a time when you would repair your TV, but no longer: now you just replace them. Go buy a new iPhone and within weeks if not days, they have a new and improved one on the market. Heck, even Tom Brady changed teams!!
Churches change, colleges & seminaries change, presidents, bosses, and yes… even we change. Although change is inevitable, change is not always for the better! Yet in an ever-changing world one thing does not change. God said… “I the LORD do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) The writer of Hebrews wrote… Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
In a constantly changing world, God remains the same. Why is that a comfort? Because when Jesus said… “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” it is as true today as it was when He spoke those words 2000 years ago. It doesn’t matter how much you have changed or how many mistakes you have made; God is still passionate about you and offers you eternal life, if you would only receive Christ as your Savior.
When your world is in a tailspin and seems to be out of control, because God does not change, your world is still under His control… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Tired of virtual school and zoom meetings? Weary of politicians that want you to believe that they have all the solutions but nothing seems to improve? Then put your hope in The One who does not change, and have your strength renewed… But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
If you are reading this blog today and you have not come to know Jesus in a personal way, this promise is for you: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
And for those of you that know Christ as your personal Savior, if you are going through a difficult time, don’t quit. Don’t quit because this is part of God’s way of changing you, not for your harm, but for your good… Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
Change is always change, it is for better or for worse, and because God cannot get any better than He already is, and it is impossible for God to sin, it becomes impossible for God to change. God cannot improve or deteriorate in His perfection.
Change is inevitable, except if you are God. And for us, that is an excellent thing! Be encouraged today: God is unchanging in His being, His purpose, and His promises. In a world that is in constant change, the fact that God cannot change is something you can really be happy about!
