Unchanging

“I confess to forgetting that God is constant. I expect Him to change at the drop of a hat, to suddenly toss out mercy or abandon grace. Typing out a list of who God is reminds me that my Lord isn’t a person like me. “

The character of God is constant.

In our ever-changing world, I suggest we revisit the definition of a word that is antithesis to our current reality. Webster Dictionary defines constant as “marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness, invariable, continually occurring or reoccurring.”

Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The character traits that align the God we believe in with the God of the Bible are unchanging, constant, invariable. Secular theology shifts with impressive speed (amen and awomen?) but the character of God is sure and trustworthy. He reveals through His Word who He is. God describes Himself as such:

“The Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” (Exodus 34:6).

Similar sentiments are repeated in numerous other books, chapters, and verses. *More of God’s characteristics (aka His attributes) are revealed throughout Scripture:

God is…
  • Infinite (Colossians 1:17)
  • Holy (Hebrews 7:26-28)
  • Personal (John 14:15-21)
  • Loving (Hosea 11:1-9; Romans 5:8)
  • Just (John 5:19-30; Romans 2:1-11)
  • Good (1 Chronicles 16:34-36; Revelation 21:1-7)
  • Wise (Romans 11:33)
  • Faithful (2 Timothy 2:13)
  • Merciful (Romans 9:15-16)
  • Gracious (Psalm 145:8)
  • Glorious (Hebrews 1:3; Habakkuk 3:4)
  • Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12)
  • Omniscient (1 John 3:18-20)
  • Omnipotent (Psalm 33:6-9; Jeremiah 32:26-27)
  • Immutable/Unchanging (Malachi 3:6)

 

Pause and reflect on this list. Which attributes of God do you need to remind yourself of most?

I hope this list prompts worship and thoughtful consideration. I also expect that it begs the question of why. What’s the purpose of posting a list of God’s attributes on a webpage read by a congregation of believers that surely know of the mighty God they serve?

The beginning of a new year is always a time of change. January almost always involves shifting schedules, setting goals, and solidifying an ideal lifestyle. In the midst of all this adjustment, one of the most important changes we can make is to refocus our eyes and hearts on the unchanging God.

I confess to forgetting that God is constant. I expect Him to change at the drop of a hat, to suddenly toss out mercy or abandon grace. Typing out a list of who God is reminds me that my Lord isn’t a person like me. He doesn’t have a heart which is “deceitful above all things and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). Instead, God has come “so that we may know him…the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

Reminding ourselves of God’s character allows us to worship and trust Him more; understanding that God does not change helps us to rely on him as our only foundation.

As a result, we can boldly sing:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

 

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

 

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 *Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:31, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8-11, Psalm 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2

Resources for Further Study: