We live in a world of change. Think of life in your grandparent’s day and compare it to today and you’ll see changes everywhere. More changes are taking place every day. Books are obsolete by the time they are published because of new discoveries. Even moral standards change, as is clearly evident in the world around us today. Internationally changes take place as well as nations rise and decline. In our individual lives changes are continually taking place. We grow older, children move away and marry6, jobs change, health changes as we age. Everything changes. Only God does not change.
In Psalms 102:26-27 we read “They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But You remain the same, and your years will never end.” “Hua” means “You remain the same.” It is in the present tense. It is a key name for God, because all the other names won’t mean a thing if not for this one. All He was in the past, or even present, goes for nothing if there is the slightest chance He will change in the future. But God choose to not change, and locked Himself into that promise. He is unchangeable.
That’s why we can depend on Him, why we can count on His promises and know He will always be with us. He never changes. He doesn’t go through mood changes. He is not capricious like the Greek gods or even like Allah. He is always good and holy and grace and mercy. He can’t change, because He is perfect. So there is not way for Him to improve. Thus any change would be downward and away from perfection. We know that can’t and won’t happen. So He will never change in His love and dealings with us.
Those whom we have depended on, even those we have loved the most, always have times of change and when they let us down. Many assume one day God will tire of them, run out of patience or stop loving them. But God does not change. As He is now He always will be. He will be the same for all eternity.
This name not only applies to God the Father (Psalm 102:27) but also the Son, Jesus. Psalm 102:27 is quoted in Hebrews 1:12 and referred to Jesus. He, too, remains the same for all eternity. Forever! All things change but He will never. He is the one constant in a changing world!
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT
In Matthew 24:35 Jesus says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” His Word is more sure and dependable, and also more long lasting, than our whole universe. Meditate on that for a moment. What does that tell you about God’s Word? Read some of your favorite passages and think of them still being true, even after the whole universe is gone. Take some time to thank and praise God for this truth.
BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT
God is unchangeable. Psalm 102:27 says “You remain the same.” This is the 3rd person singular used alone, “he is.” Not “he was” or “he will be” but he always is. Therefore He never changes.
List some of the things in your life that have changed over the years.
What changes are still to come for you and the world around you?
Does thinking of the future and its changes scare you? Why or why not?
Why does God allow things to change? Why not always keep everything the same?
Can you think of anyone or anything that doesn’t change?
What would be different if God changed as time went on as well as everything else?
What difference would it make if the Bible changed from time to time?
Write down several of your favorite Bible promises.
What difference does it make knowing they won’t ever change?
(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/. My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)