HOPE
IN A CHANGING WORLD
You
can never go back to the way it used to be. You can try to replicate
the past, but it will never be the same. We live in a world of
change. Residents of Pasco county can especially appreciate that as
we see land being swallowed up into huge housing developments and
commercial centers. The small town atmosphere is quickly giving way
to a more modern lifestyle and I find myself sounding like those I
once used to hear talking about "the good old days."
No
doubt we enjoy the fruits of progress, but it is at the expense of a
loss of simpler times and a slower paced way of life. As much as we
may long to go back, there is no such thing. Life goes on. To many,
accepting change is not easy, especially as we grow older. But to
some, change is excruciatingly difficult because it evokes a dreaded
uncertainty for the future that looms incredulously before us and
threatens the comfort of familiarity . Whether we want to admit it
or not, there is a part of each one of us that longs for some
semblance of immutability and the certainty of unchangeableness. We
want something we can hold on to that we can depend on.
We
look for dependability in people but are often only disappointed by
broken promises and deception. Here again we long for certainty in a
spirit of trust that depends on another over whom we have no control.
A high percentage of families suffer the uncertainty of a broken
marriage where each member (especially children) live in constant
instability. Employees work in an atmosphere of uncertainty where
jobs and careers can be snuffed out in a moment. So, is there
anything in which we can say, "This remains constant and I can
depend on this, no matter what may come?"
As
mortal beings we are inherently at risk for change and uncertainty as
we face death and the mystery that lies beyond this world. But in
spite of that, there is hope in our ever-changing world - a hope that
is found beyond this
world of changeableness.
As
God addressed His unruly and unthankful people who refused to fear
(honor)
Him, He said, "For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore
you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." (Mal. 3:6) The only
reason that Israel remained and had not been consumed by God was
because He does not change and His promises remain firm. His
promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob remained unchanged; "In
your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen.
22:18) Paul spoke of this when he said, "Now to Abraham and his
Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of
many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." (Gal.
3:16)
God
kept His promise to send His Son. In doing so, He demonstrated His
unchangeableness and the certainty of His promises. "And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth." (Jn. 1:14) And His Son, "Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb. 13:8)
Christ
proved His unchangeable nature in doing all that He promised and
proving the dependability of the Scriptures in fulfillment of their
record. Paul declared the proving of this divine record when he
said, "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures." (1 Cor. 15:3-40)
Jesus
declared the certainty of that scriptural record while He was alive
when He declared, "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and
earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the
law till all is fulfilled." (Mt. 5:18)
Jesus
did not fail to fulfill those words and in so doing He proved that
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning." (Jas. 1:17) As surely as His presence does
not cast shadows based on the movement of the sun, He stands unmoved
and as dependable as His word. As David wrote, "Forever, O
Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to
all generations..." (Psm. 119:89-90)
Solomon
wrote, "I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it,
that men should fear before Him." (Eccl. 3:14) This is so
because, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of
His heart to all generations." (Psm. 33:11)
Here
is where we can put down our anchor in the midst of a tossing sea of
uncertainty. While the world around us stirs in constant change, God
and His word remain sure and His promises certain. Therefore we can
find comfort and hope in the words of Jesus; "Do not let your
heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My
Father's house are many dwelling places. But if it were not so, I
would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you! And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive
you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And where I go you
know, and the way you know." (Jn. 14:1-4)(LITV)
The
words written by Thomas O. Chisholm still ring true as they are sung
under the title, "He Changes Not:"
Amid
the changing scenes below, where many come and many go,
My
wistful soul will oft cry out for one who stays, who changes not.
The
years pass on, a shifting train, of things familiar, few remain,
How
sweet, how comforting the thought, that one remains who changes not.
As
it has been, so will it be till comes life's final hour for me,
Mine
surely is a favored lot - I have a Friend who changes not.
He
changes not, Christ changes not! Though I should be by all forgot,
He
still remains and will remain! My precious Lord who changes not.
-
Gary V. Womack - July 2005