Forever the Same

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,

and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

I learned this verse from Hebrews when I was in fourth grade while attending daily vacation Bible school. I liked it because it was easy to learn and fairly easy to understand. It only went that far with me at the time. I didn't realize that many, many years later, this verse would come to be of great comfort to me.

When just a girl, I hated hearing the adults in my life speaking of the “good old days.” Nothing could have been as good as they described it, especially with World War II and the Great Depression thrown in. But for those adults, even in the 40's and 50's, they looked at their present days and saw changes they didn't like, that caused them great concern. I thought and still do that those decades were really the best that our country had to offer. I guess that's probably why if asked, my children would have the same reaction to my longings as I did to the adults in my life back then.

It cannot be denied, however, that in our country over the last twenty years especially, we have seen some pretty radical changes. We are faced with a bad economic situation that includes high taxes. We have learned that our high taxes are going toward unnecessary and costly trips, parties, entertainment by our IRS. There seems to be no way to put all of it in check.

Churches have changed and not any particular denomination. Many churches are being pastored by women (by the way, not to be done according to Scripture). Many churches are giving way to rock concerts and then tagging on a 10 minute sermon from the pastor. The Word of God is all but lost in the confusion. As Christians, we have all but lost our “saltiness” in a country that has needed us to speak up and stand for what is right.

Who would ever have believe that the Boy Scouts of America would have yielded to the homosexual agenda. Did you ever believe in time past, that you would see two men or two women holding hands, kissing each other and demanding to have marriage rights like “normal” couples have. What is a Muslim Imam (pastor) doing being invited to the White House to speak or counsel with the presidents staff. Did we ever think it would be a no-no to say, “Merry Christmas” in a school classroom or that one little woman, an atheist could be responsible for taking God out of our school classrooms.

The list could go on and on....however....I return to our verse. We have known that things change and usually not for good. We know we are living in a decaying culture, we just didn't think we would live to see it, at least not to the extent we are seeing it now. I place my comfort in Hebrews 13:8. I have always been a person who hates change. With all of the things that seem to be changing so rapidly, I have a hope...a wonderful hope. My hope is based on the simple fact that Jesus Christ doesn't change...that He is never changing. He's never changed, still doesn't and never will. He is that blessed constant in my life and in yours as well. When He and His Father decided on those things that are sin, guess what...they are still sin and always will be. Not only that, but those who choose to shake their fists at those things God declares as being sin will one day find their trembling knees shaking and bending before a Holy God Who will accept no excuses. Jesus is our constant, our steady influence and our unchanging Savior. He is our rock, fortress, friend, Savior and every other precious name we could use for Him that in every circumstance will never change.

Many things should never change

I feel they never should.

Invariably the things that change,

Are rarely for the good.

Filthy language is out of hand

Cursing beyond all hope.

When a child, I couldn't say “darn” or “gosh”

Or my mouth got washed out with soap.

Then there's the dress code of our day

Or a serious lack of one.

Girls baring skin and body parts

Boys britches dragging the ground.

Respect, courtesy, and thoughtfulness

Have all but faded away.

We used to care for the other guy

But that was another day.

But there are some things that haven't changed

Whether some folks like it or not.

The ways of God and of His Word

Are battles that must be fought.

You see, Jesus Christ doesn't changed

Be it today, future or past.

His principles, promises and commands

Are unchanging and will always last.

For I am the Lord, I change not....

Malachi 3:6a

A friend passed the following statement off to me not too long ago. It is one worth thinking about:

Do I embrace today what shocked me yesterday?

Lord Jesus, help me be consistent in my spiritual walk. Help me be consistent in my values, principles and standards despite the ways of the world. May I be aware that these are the last days and there are going to be disturbing changes that will be disturbing. I love You and praise you today for who You are in my life. Amen