God is Always God

God is always God. This statement was used by a friend of mine in a recent sermon he preached. I scrambled for a pencil to write it down before it had a chance to slip from my mind. What a profound thought and one I don’t consider often enough.

Especially in the months since the onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent shut downs, violence and various acts of hate that have been so prevalent it is an important thing to remember. God never changes; God is always God no matter what.

There are many mentions of the unchanging character of God in the Bible. The first reference I want to look at comes from Malachi 3:6 and it says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change; and you, children of Jacob, have not perished.” (CEB) Malachi is saying in this passage that Israel owes its survival entirely to the faithfulness of God. In other words, it is only His unchanging and perfect promises which have kept Israel and will keep us as His children as well.

Hebrews 13:8 offers this promise, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (CEB) God’s plan does not change. Can you imagine the extreme chaos Christians would be in if God’s plan changed every time the wind changed direction? Consistency is as important for we who are believers as for those we will be a witness to. Chaos and confusion is of Satan, it does not come from God.

Finally, let’s look at Psalm 33:11, “But the LORD’s plan stands forever; what he intends to do lasts from one generation to the next.” (CEB) How encouraging it is to know that whatever comes in this world; (1) God is not caught unaware and (2) His plan stands forever! The Believer’s Bible Commentary puts it this way, “Throughout human history the ungodly have collaborated to thwart God and to ruin His people. God ultimately frustrates the cleverest plots hatched by His opponents. And nothing can hinder the accomplishment of His purposes. He will always have the last word, and whatever He plans will come to pass.”

The next time something comes at you out of the blue, like gale force winds trying to blow you off course remember … God is always God. There is no changing, He is immutable.

May the last stanza of M.S. Lowndes poem, Our God Changes Not, be both a reminder and a prayer.

So, even though this world's unstable, He's still our solid rock And the only certainty in life, For our God changes not.