2015-09-25 - The One Constant

Originally Published 2005-02-19

The saying goes that the one true constant in the world is change. The irony of the fact that a constant is something unchangeable that is change itself is both amusing along with enough truth mixed in to stick in your mind. The world around us flies by at an ever increasing pace, and the changes around us only seem to accelerate. That acceleration is just one more change. Even we are in a constant state of change. Our age, health, wealth, knowledge, relationships, location, opinions are all moving or evolving. Our faith will continue to change, hopefully growing as time marches onward.

Then there is God.

The Lord God, Creator of the Universe. Imagine the power of speaking and having worlds, stars and galaxies form at that command. All this formed, not from the elements, but from nothing. The elements themselves did not yet exist. Time itself had to be set into motion. God existed before time and will exist long after time is no longer needed. He created light before He created stars. And then He created stars beyond counting. Look up at the night sky some evening when you are out away from the city lights and know that God is aware of every star.

And before all of this was set into motion, the Lord of All knew He would create each one of us.

He knew what color eyes and hair we would have, who our parents would be, how many days we would live. He knew we as a race and individually would deliberately sin and fall. He gave us the freedom to live as we would, knowing that some of us would never turn to Him though His desire is that no one should be lost. God is also Holy and can not tolerate sin. So, before creation began, God formed a plan to save each one of us. And the Father would give His only Son as a sacrifice to pay the terrible price of sin and open the door to Heaven for us.

The one true constant in the universe is the unconditional love of God for His creation in us. It has never wavered. The plan to redeem mankind from the pit of sin that we willingly walked into has never changed or been put aside. Another irony is that, in order for this plan to work, we must have a change of heart. And in the moment of that change, we change again - exchanging the tatters of our lives for the sinless life of Christ. Will we stumble again? Almost certainly. But there is forgiveness for the the heart that truly asks from the constant pool of unchanging and unconditional love.

Col 3:12-14 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgive you, so also should you. ¹⁴ And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (NAS)

Lord Jesus - I am so glad that You do not change. In this whirling pool of life, there is one place to look for stability and hope and forgiveness. Forgive me. And keep me mindful of that forgiveness as I have a complaint against anyone. I have been excused of a debt to You that I would never have been able to pay, and been given an eternity that I do not deserve. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.peacewithgod.net

All verses are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.