Unchanging God

Malachi 3:6–7 (ESV): Robbing God

6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

Abba,

What a comfort, this truth of your unchanging character and nature.  You are the same from eternity past to eternity future.  Hebrews 13:8 echos this truth…

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

You are THE only constant in our lives of flux and change.  You are the anchor, the rock.  And in this constancy, there is safety and security.

“For I the Lord DO NOT CHANGE.  THEREFORE you, O Children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Because of your unchanging nature, Israel was not destroyed.  Their rebellion and hard heartedness would have resulted in their destruction had you been a human like us; had You been a flawed, sinful, changing being.  But you never change.  And your covenant with Abraham and his descendants is unchanging because YOU Abba, are unchanging.  They remain, not because they walk righteously and deserve it, but because you are unchanging and your word cannot be broken.  Their existence is testimony to your faithfulness and grace, not their goodness and righteousness. 

How much is that true of us, your church as well?  It reminds me of your words through Paul to Timothy…

2 Timothy 2:11–13 (ESV): 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:

  If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

 12  if we endure, we will also reign with him;

  if we deny him, he also will deny us;

 13  if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

If we are faithless….HE (You, Abba…) remain faithful FOR he (You, Abba) cannot deny himself. 

How often in our lives are we faithless to you; do we choose the sinful desires of our fallen flesh over you?  And yet, no matter how often this is true…you remain faithful to us, for your spirit dwells within and you cannot deny yourself, your own, your child. 

Abba, forgive us for our faithlessness.  Forgive me for my faithlessness. 

Thank you for your unchanging nature and character!

Thank you for your faithfulness to us and for not consuming us for our failures.

Thank you for your tender mercy, grace, and patience that lovingly moves and guides us to maturity, to holiness, to conformity to your son. 

Thank you for the promise of your return to your people if your people would be return to you!  How often is this promise and truth seen throughout your word!  And it is equally true for your church as we read your promises encompassed for us in the New Testament. 

Abba, truly, your faithful, unchanging nature and promises are a truth so rich and deep…

In a world of struggling and failing relationships, it is hard for us to even comprehend sometimes. 

Thank you Abba, for being a faithful, unchanging God.  Thank you for promises of restoration and reconciliation.  Thank you for your patience and for not consuming us when we repeatedly fail. 

Thank you Abba, just thank you.

We love you.  Strengthen us by your grace to walk worthy of you!

Amen!