The Unchanging Nature of God in a Changing World
By Matt Brown
In the summer of 2019, my friend Malachi called me on the phone while he was on a family vacation and shared with me a vision God had spoken to his heart. He shared, “I feel like we are supposed to call 1 Million young people to fast and pray as we enter into the Roaring Twenties.” The term Roaring Twenties, of course, is a throwback to the 1920’s, but we had this sense that God would make it a different type of “Roaring Twenties” where He would roar His glory and send a powerful move of God on the earth. By God’s grace, tens of thousands of people fasted and prayed with us. Because the response and community was so wonderful, we plan to continue to call people to fast and pray throughout this decade.
Little did we know a global pandemic would shut down the nations of the world, and the global economies, swirling us into uncertainty, anxiety and fear. Nor did we know of the racial tensions that would burst into protests and riots in many cities across the nation, after the death of George Floyd.
Often we can’t see what God is doing in the moment, but in hindsight we look back and see the faithfulness of God.
The events of our world are not a surprise to God. God is all knowing, always Sovereign, and He will always be faithful. We were blown away by the response to the call to fast and pray. I believe God was giving so many people “hunger” to fast and pray at the beginning of this new decade, not only because He knew this pandemic and racial tensions were coming, but also because of how He wants to move beyond this time. I have such a sense in my spirit that God is about to move in significant ways.
What keeps stirring in my heart during these difficult days is the truth of the unchanging nature of God’s attributes and character in a changing world.
The unchanging nature of God in a changing world.
Hebrews 13:8 tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
In a world that’s always changing, we can lean on a God who never changes. Jesus Christ is always the same.
God’s love for us never changes.
God’s grace is always available for those who turn to Him.
God’s power and might are always available in our lives when we lean on Him.
God’s faithfulness is always present to turn situations and pain for the good in our lives.
God always cares about justice, and calls His people to care about it, and to see those different than us as created in the image of God. He is compassionate and loves the whole world.
Even when we face a future that is uncertain we can look to our Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Build your life on this unshakeable foundation.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 7 about building our house on the rock.
We will all face storms in this life, but when we build our life on Christ and on His ways, we will be on a solid foundation in the storm. This solid foundation is the unchanging nature of God.
Are there any areas of your life you need to move from the shifting sands of the world’s opinions, attitudes and ways, and instead place on the unshakeable foundation of God’s truth, perspective and ways?
Trust God will always turn your pain for your good.
Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Read that again – “All things will work together for good.”
God is the Master at turning difficult situations for our good. We see through the seminal event of our faith – the cross of Christ, that God will take great evil, and turn it for our greatest good. God continues to work this way in believer’s lives today. Whenever you face painful, difficult or trying circumstances, you can bring it to God, and know that soon you will see how He will bring good out of it.
The best is always yet to come when we follow Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God has a good plan for you, and a good plan for your family, and a good purpose for your life.
John Piper has said “In Christ, it is only a matter of time until it is only joy.” The best is always yet to come when we follow Jesus, not only in this life, but in eternity.
Even in the changing storms of life, we can find an unshakeable peace, joy and hope when we rest on the unchanging nature of God’s faithfulness, goodness and love in our lives. This will empower us to do good, bring justice, and fulfill His purpose in the world.
Matt Brown is an evangelist, author of Truth Plus Love, host of Think Eternity with Matt Brown, and founder of Think Eternity — a ministry dedicated to amplifying the gospel every day through podcasts, devotionals, videos, live events and more. Matt and his wife Michelle have three children.
This blog originally appeared at Thomas Nelson Bible Blog: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/blog/