“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
My West Virginia hometown is situated at the foothills of Shenandoah Mountain, barely across the Virginia state line. The drive home last week was spectacular. The vibrant reds of the maple and oak trees and the warm orange yellows of the hickory trees popped out around every twist and turn of the curvy drive. The views from the mountain vistas were stunning. As I absorbed all of God’s beauty along the drive, I gave thanks for His beautiful creations. God can teach, speak to, and provide for us through nature. Psalm 96:12 says, “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” The trees were definitely singing, culminating their joy because it was considered peak weekend for the leaf peepers.
As I admired the changing leaves and pondered my many life changes, I was soothed by God’s immutability. I hadn’t thought about that word in a very long time. I first heard it as a teenager while learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism. I grew up in a Presbyterian church, and after accepting Jesus as my Savior, I attended a class where we had to learn and recite the Shorter Catechism from memory. Question #4 is “What is God?” and the answer is “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” The Bible is overflowing with revelations about God’s character and nature and testifies to God’s unchanging character, will, and covenant promises. He is immutable, He never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What an incredible comfort to us in this ever-changing world.
We should find hope in God’s unchangeable nature. Every created thing in life will let us down at some point in time. The list is endless, including relationships, health, children, career, and circumstances. But no matter how unstable life’s circumstances are, God never changes. He is the same God that raised Jesus from the grave, spoke the world into existence, the God who saves and loves and forgives unconditionally. God’s immutable nature is the only firm foundation for our hope. As you admire the changing landscape and God’s beautiful foliage, give thanks for His unchanging nature and the stability and hope it brings to your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The picture of descending Shenandoah Mountain depicts the twists and turns of life governed by God’s immutable affections and the beauty of the Fall foliage, created by Him sings of His love and blessings.