Thursday, March 2, 2017

10/22/16 YOU CAN COUNT ON GOD

10/22/16 YOU CAN COUNT ON GOD

There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

These are a couple of old sayings concerning change and continuity. Of course there are changes, but not in the sense addressed by Solomon.

God is the Foundation of continuity.

God is unchanging.
James 1:16-17
(16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
(17) 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.

God's creation is built upon continuity. As He told Noah, after the greatest upheaval of change in the history of the world since Adam's fall in the Garden,
Genesis 8:22
(22) While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

His word is unchanging.
Matthew 24:35
(35)  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

His mercy endures forever.
Psalms 106:1
(1)  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Though Jesus became a Man, and died, rose again and ascended into heaven, He is the eternal Son of God and His nature is always the same.
Hebrews 13:8
(8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
God's dealing with man is unchanging. If we trust Him, He saves us. If we rebel against Him, He condemns us, no matter who we are.

God's judgment is consistent.
Romans 2:2-13
(2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
(12) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
(13) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

We can count on God to be Himself and to do what He says. By this we can set our course and and by His grace, we can stay our course.