Hebrews 13:8 - A Glimpse at the Immutable Quality of God.
Hebrews 13:8 - A Glimpse at the Immutable Quality of God.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and forever.
Oh, the immutability of God! We have only to think of the many
friendships which were once so precious and wonder what happened; of the
trust we placed in another, only to be betrayed. Malachi 3:6 says, "I
the Lord do not change." Who He is in the Old Testament, He also is
in the New. What He did for Moses, He will do for you! While it is
true that our ways are not His ways, it is very comforting to know
that His ways remain firm. So few things in our lives are firm,
stable, or solid. Relationships come and go; jobs evolve or disappear;
wealth remains elusive or fleeting. Families fall apart or die
one-by-one. God, however, remains as He has always been - from eternity
past to eternity future. As believers, we should find great comfort
in this precious truth! When you find yourself in the next crisis
of transition, stabilize yourself with the great truth of God's
immutability! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom re Jam.1:17]
It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life,
there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never
alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things
else have changed--all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim
with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out
vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they
shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One
who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in
whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels,
when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again
upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst
all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his
faith upon this truth--"I am the Lord, I change not."
The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at
last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian's hope
affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "is
no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Whatever his
attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice,
his truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of his
people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure
Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with
"an everlasting love"; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and
when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration,
his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the
assurance that he changes not! [Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon
re Mal. 3:6]
I remember when cell phones first came out. I was so excited
to get one. It was one of those big old bulky bag phones - nothing
like the cute little numbers we have today. Talk about heavy! It was
a pain to lug around. My phone bill was huge due to roaming
charges. Since then I've watched as phones have gotten smaller and
smaller. Now some are no bigger than the palm of my hand.
But wait ... phones are starting to get bigger again to
accommodate bigger screens. Big to small, small to big. Change, change,
change.
Through the years, we've watched many things change - our
tastes, surroundings, cars, houses, hairstyles, and so on. But I'm glad
there remains one thing that will always stay the same. God says that
he stays the same yesterday, today, and forever. He was, is, and
will always be the great I AM. No, God does not change, but I do. I'm
grateful for the change he has made in me.
Today, I acknowledge him as the great I AM. I am eager to
praise his name for all the years I have left on this earth and for
eternity as well. Let us thank him together for what he has done in each
of our lives.
Father, I'm grateful for two things: that you do not change
and that I am constantly changing as I become, by your power, more
and more like you. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I am yours for all eternity. I am the Alpha and the Omega:
the One who is and was and is to come. The world you inhabit is a
place of constant changes - more than your mind can absorb without
going into shock. Even the body you inhabit is changing relentlessly,
in spite of modern science's attempts to prolong youth and life
indefinitely. I, however, am the same yesterday and today and forever.
Because I never change, your relationship with Me provides a
rock-solid foundation for your life. I will never leave your side. When you
move on from this life to the next, My Presence beside you will shine
brighter with each step. You have nothing to fear, because I am with you
for all time and throughout eternity. (Rev. 1:8; Heb. 13:8; Psa.
102:25-27; 48:14) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
I love you with an everlasting Love. The human mind cannot
comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of
varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto
Me. Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing Love.
You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and
discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My Presence
strengthens you, as you receive and respond to My Love. I am the same
yesterday, today, and forever! Let My Love flow into you continually. Your
need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love to you. (Jer.
31:3; Exo. 15:13; Heb. 13:8) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Rest in Me, My child, forgetting about the worries of the
world. Focus on Me--Immanuel--and let My living Presence envelop you in
Peace. Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same yesterday,
today, and forever. If you live on the surface of life by focusing on
ever-changing phenomena, you will find yourself echoing the words of Solomon:
"Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"
Living in collaboration with Me is the way to instill meaning
into your days. Begin each day alone with Me, so that you can
experience the reality of My Presence. As you spend time with Me, the way
before you opens up step by step. Arise from the stillness of our
communion, and gradually begin your journey through the day. Hold My hand
in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path
before you. (Heb. 13:8; Ecc. 1:2; Pro. 3:6) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS:
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
http://www.lastdayofprophecy.com/
[March 21-26, 2016: Charlotte, NC in person with live streaming
and multiple outreach locations]
Revelation Today by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
