Day Thirty

Change is hard. And there has been a lot of change over the past year.

Some of the changes we’ve experienced in this season of chaos will eventually settle back to something that looks familiar, but there are some things that will look drastically different. Our world has been permanently altered by the events of this pandemic.

The way we work…
The way we communicate…
The way we travel…
The way we interact in public…

…these are just some of the things that will likely be significantly affected moving forward, needless to say the countless lives that have been impacted and will never be the same.

And it’s just so hard.

More than ever we need a firm foundation in the midst of a shifting world. We need to be reminded of the eternal truths of God that give us solid ground on which to stand. We need these truths right now. We need to take them into our souls and let them be rooted deeply within us. Without them we can easily falter and fall, and so we do well to fix our eyes firmly on them in these changing times.

In the letter of James we find this beautiful promise:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”—James 1:17 (NIV)

The King James translation of this verse inspired the famous hymn lyric, “There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not.” James describes God as the “Father of the heavenly lights,” and like a strong and sturdy lighthouse he shines out the light of his good gifts that can pierce any darkness and shadow. It will not fail in even the heaviest storm. The language James uses echoes the imagery in the psalms describing God as a rock, a fortress, and a refuge—he is the one who is forever stable, forever trustworthy.

Many other Scripture passages speak to this immutable quality of God:

“I the Lord do not change.”—Malachi 3:6a (NIV)

“But You are the same, You will never change;
Your years will never come to an end.”—Psalm 102:27 (VOICE)

and of course…

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Friend, if the foundations of your life are shaking right now…you’re not alone. Let’s all take heart in the truth that the God to whom we belong is the God who is steadfast and sure. Not even death was able to alter his plans, which are good and trustworthy.

The world may be different, by our God is still the same.

When did He break His promise?
When did His kindness fail?
Never has, never will
My God is still the same
When did He lose His power?
When did His mercy change?
Never has, never will
My God is still the same, yeah
My God is still the same

Read the rest of the lyrics here.

Questions for Reflection

1) Spend some time with God reflecting on ways your life has changed. How difficult have you found those changes? Be honest with God, and take heart that we can bring him all of our sadness and grief.

2) What does the unchangeable nature of God mean for you? How might you more firmly center yourself in this truth as you make your way through a chaotic world? What Scripture, what practices, and even what physical reminders can you use to remind yourself that God never changes?

3) Spend some time prayerfully reflecting on this quote from C.H. Spurgeon:

Consider what you owe to His immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times, He has not changed once.

4) Read these lyrics from today’s song slowly…one line at a time. Spend some moments prayerfully reflecting on the truth the represent and what it speaks to your soul.

Not once did He ever stop moving
Not once has He ever let go
Not once did He ever stop proving
Our God is in control

5) Read and reflect on this passage of Scripture. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)