Category Archives: Immutable

Jagged coastal mountains surrounded by ocean beneath a colorful sunset sky
Bible, Consistent, Hebrews, Immutable, Scripture, Unchangeable

THE SAME ALWAYS

HEBREWS 1:12

“AND LIKE A ROBE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”

There are some things in life that just don’t change, do they? The sun rises and sets every day. The moon waxes and wanes. The ocean waves break on the seashore. Consistency is good, don’t you think? Just think how awful it would be if we didn’t have some things we can count on to remain the same.

I love the phrase, “But you are the same” in today’s verse which comes from Psalm 102:27. Now, the writer has quoted Psalm 102:25-27 in the last three verses we’ve looked at in Hebrews. Obviously, the Spirit put this passage on his heart to reflect on our Lord Jesus. The Greek word for “same” is autos and can be translated as “he.” Substitute “He” for “same.” It would read “But you are He.” Doesn’t that fit even better? I like that myself.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

Once again, we see Something new about God here. And once again, it’s not that it is something we aren’t aware of, but it is a reminder of God’s character and therefore Jesus’ character as well. He is unchangeable. Another word for that is immutable. In Malachi 3:6 we read, “‘For I, the LORD, do not change;’” That’s pretty clear, huh? We see this nature described in James 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

This truth could also give us a Promise to claim. If God tells us He cannot change, doesn’t that sound like a promise to you. He is a constant. One day we are told that all the heavens and the earth will be like a robe that is rolled up or a garment that is changed. But not God. Psalm 90:1-2 is a great passage showing us this promise. “1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Whenever you are unsure of where you stand with God, remember He is always there. He has not moved. You can always count on Him to hear you when you cry out to Him. You can rely on His faithfulness when all seems lost. He does not promise us things will always be easy, but He will be with us through it all. Amen?

Father, You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank You for being constant.

Standard
Bible, Change, Dependence, Faithfulness, God's Will, Immutable, Scripture, Security

I DO NOT CHANGE

MALACHI 3:6

“‘For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.’”

Immutability – that’s a big word. What does it mean? The Miriam-Webster dictionary says it is something that is incapable of change. What do you know that is like that? I bet nothing. Weather changes. Nature changes. Economies change. Everything changes – except one thing. We see that today in our text.

God says very clearly, “For I, the Lord, do not change.” Period! Exclamation mark! Why is that important? Because if God could change, He would not be God. His whole character rests on His unchangeableness. Listen to what MacLauren says about this. “But the unchangeableness of God is the negation of all imperfection, it is the negation of all dependence on circumstances, it is the negation of all possibility of decay or exhaustion, it is the negation of all caprice.” And because God does not change, Jacob will not be consumed, according to our verse today.

APPLICATION

God loves you and will forever love you. That will not change. His decision to bring you to heaven based on your decision to follow Christ will not change. Salvation is sure and unchangeable. His covenant with us will never cease, just as His with Jacob did not. Psalm 102:27 says, “But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.”

I love what James says in his letter. In James 1:17 we read, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” No variation! No shifting shadow! God is the one constant you can depend on. When He says He will do something, He does it.

You may be thinking, “But Carl, aren’t there some verses about God changing His mind?” Yes, you are right. But those verses are conditional on man’s response, not God’s. God is consistent in season and out. You can depend on His faithfulness and steadfastness. When all else fails you, God will not. Lean on Him.

Lord, I know I can depend on You when everything around me is falling apart. Thank You, Jesus.

Standard