Change is Inevitable… Or Is It?

“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” Psalm 102:25-27

The other day I noticed something on Facebook. It was up in a corner, and it said “1 event invite.” I wasn’t sure what it was for, so I clicked on it. It was an invitation to a birthday party. As I read it, it occurred to me that I couldn’t remember the last time I received an invitation in the mail.

That started me thinking about the many changes I’ve seen in my threescore-plus years on this earth. Here are a few of them.

1. I remember walking to my friend’s house to see if she could play. Today, moms make “play dates” for their kids.
2. I remember getting so excited when a card or letter came for me in the mail. Today, I get emails… many times unwanted ones!
3. I used to sit on the couch talking to my girlfriends for hours at a time on the phone. Today, I get a quick text message, short and to the point.
4. I used to play outside all day “until the streetlights came on.” Today, children “play” on their electronic devices.
5. I remember home-cooked meals. Today, it’s fast-food restaurants.
6. I remember walking many blocks to school with my friends. Today, for safety reasons, children are dropped off right in front of the schools by a parent.
7. I remember 13-channeled rabbit-eared televisions that broadcast only in black and white. Today, high-definition color TVs have hundreds of channels.
8. I remember… rotary phones, huge 5-cent candy bars, milk bottles with paper tops, and so much more!

I read somewhere that change is inevitable, but not everything changes.

The Bible says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8). That is one of the most reassuring verses I have ever read. My Saviour will never change who He is; His love for me will never change, and His Word will never change! (Isaiah 40:8)

The fact that God is “immutable” (unchanging) gives me hope, reassurance, and confidence to face tomorrow. I know that He is with me always (Mathew 28:20), holding my hand no matter where I go (Psalm 139:8-11), leading me to the “way everlasting” (Psalm 139:24). The Jesus I met in 1968 is the same Jesus that walks with me today. He is the same Jesus that walked on this earth 2,000+ years ago. He is the same Jesus who created this world, and He will be the same Jesus who welcomes me home to heaven one day!

Praise the Lord for the certainty of who He is!

Always the same, O praise His name,
Jesus never changes; He’s always the same.
Always together, His love is forever.
Jesus never changes; He’s always the same.        (from “Always the Same” by Ron Hamilton)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

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In this changing world, hold on to the One who never changes!