The Unchangeable God
Hosea 13:1-8, Psalm 33, 1 John 4:16
I have changed throughout the years. When I was really little I wanted to be a superstar, then as I got older I wanted to be a writer. I used to be one hundred percent etravert, but now after maturing I have grown to appreciate a little alone time. Everyone changes through the years, some things for the better and some for worse. One thing remains the same in me. I am always held and loved by the Father and I will always stumble and fall short.
In this chapter of Hosea, Israel is exposed for sinfully worshipping the idol Baal. This sin brings about more and more sin across the nation. Just like Israel I too struggle with idols. I put people’s opinion of me before God’s opinion. I catch myself biting my tongue after saying something I know I shouldn’t have, but it was fun to share, so I did it anyway. We all hold idols and worship things before God in moments of our lives whether we realize it or not. God didn’t bless Israel to worship idols, yet they carried on regardless. God doesn’t bless me to live in laziness, yet I do and convince myself that it’s “rest.” Just like Israel’s sin bringing forth more sin, so does mine. When I depart from God’s design, it affects my marriage, my friendships, my co-workers, and my discipleship. When we disobey God it not only affects our relationship with Him, but our relationship with those around us.
Unlike Israel and myself, God is never changing. Hebrews 13:8 states that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” What an amazing promise we are given! If Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever then that means His love is unchanging, His mercy is unchanging, His justice is unchanging and so on. If His love is unchanging, then when we sin, we can go to Him in confidence that if we repent and believe His grace will be upon us. If His justice and mercy is unchanging then we can trust and believe that He can and will reach the heart of our friend that we think is too far gone. He can and will use us to restore His Kingdom, even when we fail, because “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).
If God is unchangeable then we can trust that His word is true today as much as it was when it was written thousands of years before and we can confidently trust and obey His command. May we thank God for His unchanging love and forgiveness.
Reflect on what God is saying to you and what you’ll do about it. Where do you need to repent, believe, and walk in obedience?
