What Will Change?

      By Fern Horst

"And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:18-22)

Every year since Noah left the ark, people have wondered what the future will hold for them. Especially as we start a new year, we wonder what will transpire in the twelve months ahead. Will it hold joy or sorrow? What will happen in our own countries and around the world politically? What will happen in our local communities, in our extended families, in our jobs, and in our churches? Some may be asking, Is this the year I will meet the person I will marry? Or, will I finally come to a peace about my singleness? Will God lead me into a fulfilling job or ministry?

The questions could go on and on, and certainly as individuals we have our own personal ones. There is so much we don't know. But there is also much we do know.

Because of God's promises to Noah, we know that there will continue to be seasons. In every 24 hours there will also be night and day. Seeds will be planted and in due time their crops harvested. When we see a rainbow, we can remind ourselves of God's promise that as long as the earth is here, these things will continue like clockwork.

There is something else that will not change, even after the earth is no longer here. And that is God Himself. He told the Israelites that, "I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). We read in the New Testament that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8).

I don't know about you, but I find it immensely reassuring to know that the God of the universe, who is sovereign over all including my own life, will never change who He is. He will continue to love us as perfectly as He ever has. He will continue to lead us each step of the way. He will continue to be our Provider, Healer and Comforter, and so much more. He will always be our constant Companion. The Bible also tells us that His mercies and compassions are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). They will never run out.

If we believe God's Word, we have no reason to doubt that God will always be who He says He is, and that He will never change. The question for us is, will we remain just as faithful to Him? In our quest to mold ourselves to His image and character, we need to remember that some of those characteristics are steadfastness, consistency, and faithfulness. As we go into the New Year we know without a doubt that God will remain faithful. It is our challenge in turn to remain faithful to Him in all that we think, say or do.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Colossians 3:23)

© 2007 Fern Horst

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