Fall is a favorite time of year for many people. They love watching the leaves turn from green to gold, orange and red. There's just something about it that brings out this deep sense of awe in so many. But, it's this time of year also, that some have a heaviness of heart, my wife is one of them.
Now, it's not that she doesn't have that deep sense of awe from the changes in creation around us, but she does have this sort of heaviness in her heart that things are changing. Kids starting another school year means they're getting older, some move away, life changes greatly for some at this time of year. It's not that she doesn't accept the changes, it's just that changes can be emotional. And it may be like that for many parents, yes it's not just moms who are sad seeing their children all grow'd up.
But you know, this world and everything in it is constantly changing. Children change, we change! Political leaders and governments change. Clothing styles and trends come and go. Some relationships grow and some become more distant. Our bodies mature and creak and wince and groan. Even the very earth itself shifts and moves constantly; it "groans" with us. Yes, we live in a world of change! And that can be emotional, very emotional, even frightening at times.
But, in the midst of this ever-changing world, it's a real comfort for me to know that I have a never-changing God:
Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I do not change. The word used for "Lord" here is "Jehovah." "I am Jehovah. I am God. I am the One who has all you need. I never change," He tells us with these words.
In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are never changing. Even in the midst of our ever-changing world we serve a never-changing God. His love never changes. His mercy never changes. His goodness never changes. His ability to provide and meet our needs never changes. His holiness, His justice . . . none of it changes! Not one bit!
The first verse of Psalm 23 is another verse of great comfort for those who trust in Christ; "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." We are never left wanting with God as our God!
The next time you get discouraged, stop and think for a moment. No matter what else changes around you, God in all His greatness and might and majesty and goodness will never change. In an ever-changing world, He is a never-changing God. What a great God!