Blessed By God's Unchanging Grace

"Today's Devotion" For April 3, 2006

Read: James 1:16-18; Psalm 102

BLESSED BY GOD'S UNCHANGING GRACE

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

We say that "change for the sake of change" is foolish. In many things in life, we value consistency. Constancy is a primary source of stability and normalcy in the midst of a rapidly changing world - where many changes are not necessarily for the best. Often our traditions, within families, churches, and communities, are the things which tend to keep us "grounded." But, no matter how much we might like consistency and seek to avoid change, for the most part we realize that change is inevitable.

Why? Because people change. They grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. They also decline physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because people are inconsistent and subject to such changes, doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, attorneys, and others in the "helping" professions are kept in business. So are police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and the military. Illness and disease change the functions of the body, mind, and spirit. The ravages of Sin on a fallen world make change inevitable because no one is perfect. People do bad things to others and to themselves, and, as is obvious by the weapons of war, we've found even more horrible and efficient ways to kill and spread mayhem.

In order to deal with these changes, we're counseled by the "gurus" to "embrace change," as does a popular book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" which is intended to help people deal with change, especially in the workplace. We human beings struggle against change at every turn. In a sense, this proves the old axiom that "the more things change, the more they stay the same." We'd like constancy and consistency because they give us a sense of stability in a "mad, mad, mad, mad world." Much of the reasoning behind terrorism is that those who commit such acts seek to keep things the "same" - as they define sameness - and refuse to be "dragged, kicking and screaming" into another "reality." In many ways, such behavior proves the statement (if I remember correctly) of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of feeble minds."

No matter how much we might embrace change in our lives, it can be argued that change isn't necessarily good or for the best. All too often history has shown that changes took place that were not helpful, although highly touted by the "intelligentsia" of the day, and the "fixes" put out to deal with the failure of such changes ended up being much like what had been before the "changes" had taken place.

Yet, there's one change that occurs in human beings that is critical to our survival and fullness of life. It's a change of heart as God's Word and Spirit lead people to repentance, forgiveness, and faith in Jesus Christ. It's a change that takes place in the heart and soul of a human being that leads us back to the perfect relationship which God first created us to have. And the beauty of it is that, no matter how much things changed, God always stayed the same. He is the one and only source of constancy and consistency in the whole universe, in all of creation, so that are our lives might be filled with His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Jesus. His promise never changed; His love never failed; His commitment to our salvation never faltered. Just as He promised in Eden, to the patriarchs, to Israel, and to all of creation, He has saved us from our sins in Christ because our God never changes; our Father in heaven always loves us. God's promise is to "abide with" us. It's the sole and only thing that is constant and never changing in life. His grace touches us in every way, every day. We are truly blessed and filled with hope by His unchanging grace.

Prayer: (A number of verses of the old hymn, "Abide With Me" speak to God's unchanging nature and grace and how they touch our lives. In the face of "change and decay," they fill my heart and soul with hope and peace every time I hear or sing them. Perhaps they may do the same for you. They are our prayer for today and go like this:

Gracious God and Savior,
"Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!"

"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see. O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!"

"Thou on my head in early youth didst smile, And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me."

"I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!"

"I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me."

"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!" Amen. (written by Henry F. Lyte, circa 1847)
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.