Our souls long for the security of what never changes: what we can depend on. We find that assurance in our Heavenly Father.
Change is inevitable. I’ve learned that lesson in my sixty-plus years. Children mature. Parents age and die. Friends move. Communities grow or sometimes fade away. Our bodies age. Pets come and go. The best moments–those times when we feel most at home—are fleeting. We try to hold on to them, but they fly away.
Why is change so difficult? Maybe because we’re always striving to arrange life so everything is exactly as we want. But life won’t be controlled. Change scares us because it sometimes takes away what we love. We have cherished memories, but the experience has passed.
Our souls long for the security of what never changes: what we can depend on. We find that assurance in our Heavenly Father. He alone never changes.
Here are seven unchanging truths about the LORD God:
1. God Is Eternal
Eternal is defined as “without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing.” Our glorious LORD has always been and always will be. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah announced, “The LORD is the everlasting God” (Isaiah 40:28 NIV). Moses, who led God’s people out of slavery, declared, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV).
Moses also indicated God has no beginning and no end when he recorded, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2 NIV). Whether we look to the past or the future, we will not find a time without God. God is not limited by space or time. He just is. He’s always present. When questioned by the religious authorities, Jesus proclaimed this truth, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58 NKJV). He declared Himself to be God and eternally present.
2. God’s Love Is Everlasting
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 118:29 NIV). Throughout Scripture, we’re told of God’s unfailing, neverending love.
King David from Old Testament times declared, “How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 36:7 NIV).
We can depend on God’s love, knowing nothing can take it away or cause Him to turn from those who have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Only those who refuse to believe are separated from His unfailing kindness.
The Apostle Paul, New Testament writer and missionary, proclaimed: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39 NIV). Wow! I believe that covers everything. We are secure in His love for all of eternity.
3. God Is Perfect and Holy
Not only is God eternal, He is good. We can trust that He is holy in all He does. It’s impossible for God to do wrong. Scripture instructs, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him” (Psalm 92:15 NIV). Again, we’re taught, “As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless” (Psalm 18:30 NIV).
God demonstrates His goodness in that “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). John, one of Jesus’s closest disciples, declared, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NIV).
Almighty God does not have one bit of sin or darkness in Him. There’s no evil, only perfect purity and holiness. Jesus told us, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 NIV).
4. God Is Sovereign
When we observe events happening around the world, it’s easy to think everything is out of control. It feels like we’re on the verge of collapse and chaos will reign. From extreme weather to horrendous acts of violence to everyday tragedies, many believe they’re victims of a random, uncontrolled world.
Yet, Scripture clearly teaches that, ultimately, God is always in control. He gives us free will, and all of creation is cursed by sin, causing heartbreak, sorrow, and tragedy, but He decides what the boundaries are. His ultimate purpose will be fulfilled.
Job, of ancient Old Testament times, learned this lesson in his suffering: “I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 NIV).
Speaking of Himself, God revealed, “I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do” (Isaiah 46:10b-11 NIV).
It’s beyond our comprehension, but God is able to take all things and use them for His perfect purpose. Scripture teaches, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV).
5. God Will Never Lie
Most people value honesty in others. Who wants to be lied to? Dishonesty erodes trust. When I know someone has lied or lies easily, I struggle to believe them. How do I know if they’re telling the truth? How difficult it would be if we weren’t sure we could take God at as His word.
It’s impossible for God to lie. Scripture teaches, “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV).
Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh, declared Himself to be the Truth when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6 NIV). There can be no untruth in Him.
We may not always understand all that happens or why God has allowed certain things, but we can know without a doubt that every word of His is true and every promise will be kept.
6. God Is Always Compassionate
Compassion goes beyond feeling the pain of others. Compassion wants to alleviate that pain. Instead of just feeling sorry for a person who is thirsty, a compassionate person offers a cup of water.
Scripture tells us that God’s compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22 NIV). King David declared, “The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made” (Psalm 145:9 NIV).
God is always compassionate, but when He looks at us, He sees beyond our momentary pain. He knows sin has separated mankind from Him, and without forgiveness, we will experience eternal suffering and separation from Him. God’s kindness looks to our ultimate good: what will open our eyes to His truth and how He will use us to bring others into His kingdom.
The reason mankind continues to exist is because of God’s mercy: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22 NIV).
7. God Is Faithful
Faithfulness is “the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances.” True faithfulness means never leaving, never giving up, and always being true to your word.
God is perfect in faithfulness. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, “LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago” (Isaiah 25:1 NIV).
Scripture teaches, “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5 NIV).
God never changes.
We can believe God when He said, “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6a). Paul also assured us, “For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9 NIV).
We can know God never changes, for the writer of Hebrews records, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can sleep in peace and look to the future with confidence, knowing who God is and will always be.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/titoOnz
Susan Aken writes devotions and articles for Wholly Loved Ministries, is an Oklahoma native who’s lived in Nebraska since 1987 and has been in public education for over thirty years. She and her husband have one son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Besides writing she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, photography, movies, walking in nature, and a nice cup of tea. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
