By Jim Churchwell
New Life Community Fellowship
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Webster defines “change” as “to make different in some particular.”We will soon change from one season to another. Later, we will change from Daylight Savings Time back to standard time. With the beginning of school—for all students and their families—there are lots of changes.
Those in kindergarten and first grade will experience many changes in their young lives. So will their parents. Those going to high school and college will experience some changes that may affect the rest of their lives. Work—in whatever form seems to be in a constant state of change.
Change always seems to be part of our lives. How do you handle change? How do you respond to all the things that touch you, your loved ones, and the world around you?Years ago, these verses from the Psalms were arranged to bring comfort and encouragement to those who were responding to significant change in their lives. For many they have helped to bring peace to the heart in the time of a storm in life. They have given strength to the weak and helpless. I share them with you with a prayer for encouragement and help in responding to all the changes in your life.
“Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.”God is! Know that in this world, there is God. He was and is and ever more shall be. He is eternal. He is without beginning and without end.
He is the Creator. He is the One who sustains our lives. He is God!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalm 46:1-3, KJV)God is unchanging! Know that in this world of change, God does not change. He is our refuge and strength. He is our help in the middle of all the circumstances of our daily lives. He is the One who gives us encouragement and help. He says, “Fear not.” Don’t be afraid if the world around you seems to be turning upside-down. In Him is peace and safety. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2,KJV])
God is my confidence! God is! God is unchanging! God is the one in whom I trust. He is the One I rely on. He is the One in whom I put my trust. In our world of change, God is the only One we can bank on. He is the One who provides a place in the middle of all these changes that touch our lives. He is our stability and strength. The writer says, “My God, in whom I will trust.” He is both real and personal and He loves us with an everlasting love. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth … and in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (Psalm 124:8; 2 Tim. 1:10, KJV)
God is my Help! God is! God is unchanging! God is my confidence! God, our Father, through His son Jesus is our Savior and Lord. God has provided a way through Jesus for the world to be redeemed and restored. Through the life. death, and resurrection of Jesus, the whole world can know Him, who is life Eternal. Yes, we live in a changing world. But, we have God who is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He gives hope to the hopeless. He gives strength to the weak. He sets the captives free. He gives life to all who are dead in sin.
Beloved, this is the good-news of Jesus Christ. Through Him we are made part of the family of God. We become. We become part of the body of Jesus Christ of which He is the head. We have a new way of looking at life. We have a new way of responding to change. Do you know Him? Have you placed your faith-trust-reliance in Him? Is your life viewed through His eyes? Is His Word the guide that keeps your life on track? Is He living through you a personal love relationship that brings peace to your heart and life regardless of the changes?
Some think that He is only for later, when it’s time to leave this world. Yes, He is for eternity. But, He is also for now, Amen.
