Our God -- An Unchanging God
We are inhabitants of a changing world. Perhaps there have been more changes in this generation than in any other since the creation of the world. Modes of travel are changing every day. Distances that once took months can be made in days. This nation can be traversed in just a matter of hours by air. Means of communication are rapidly changing also. By just the turning of a dial we can converse with our friends or loved ones anywhere in this nation and even in other nations. Science and education are in the process of changing also. Things once considered as scientific knowledge have now been relegated to the background of human ignorance. Perhaps things that we now consider as scientific facts will be proven wrong in the future. Fashions come and go every season. The whole world is unstable. Since everything else is changing, do we infer that our God is a changing God? The answer is "No." Our God is unchanging. It is gratifying to know that in spite of all other changes God and His scheme of redemption are the same. "For I am the Lord, I change not." (Mal. 3:6)
Balaam And The Unchanging God
Ever since creation man has been trying to make God in man's image. Man can be persuaded to change his mind, so some people think that they can persuade God to change His mind. We read of Balaam, the prophet, who was besought by Balak to curse Israel. Balsam went to God to learn what he should do. God said, "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed." (Num. 22:12) Balsam gave this answer to Balak with the words, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more." When the servants returned to Balsam, he told them to stay over night and he would talk to God again. He thought perhaps that God would change His mind. Again he was told by God that he could speak only what He told him. Later on when Balsam was with Balak, they made seven altars and Balaam prayed to God. Still God would not change His mind. Then Balak persuaded Balaam to look at the Israelites from another angle. God was an unchanging God. He could not be changed.
Impossible For God To Lie
The writer of the Hebrew letter, speaking of the hope we have, stated: "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie." (Heb. 6:18) Paul told Titus that God "cannot lie." His promises are sure and steadfast; His word may be depended on as true. Peter averred that "God is not slack concerning His promises." To those who are faithful in service to Him, He will recompense eternal life. However, He has promised vengeance upon those who do not obey the gospel. "To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil." (Rom. 2:7-9) This promise is steadfast; it cannot be changed for our God is an unchanging God.
We noticed that our God is a loving God. His love is manifested by His good gifts He has given to us. James tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) God is the same loving God now that He has always been. We still receive many gifts of His infinite love. Though man's gifts may change, God's will not vary. With him there is no "shadow of turning."
That We May Know Him
Over this vast universe today there are those who are not worshipping the living God. Their worship is directed to "gods, which are no gods." False gods, made of wood, stone, and metal are worshipped in many nations. The reason they are worshipping these counterfeit gods is perhaps they do not know the "living God." However, the modern heathens are not the only people who are worshipping false gods. There are many who worship a god of hate instead of the God of love of the Bible. Such may not be a "metal" image, but it is a "mental" one. Some worship a false god of sentiment instead of the severe God revealed in Holy Writ, telling us that it makes no difference with him what they believe, just so they are sincere.
Our God lives; He loves; God is severe and unchanging. He is the same living, loving, sincere God "yesterday, today, and forever." Let us study the characteristics of Jehovah God that we may be able to say, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)