Day 18 – God’s Work Is Permanent and Continuous

Key Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 – “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.”

Devotional:

Change is inevitable. When I hear the word change, my body tenses and I subconsciously brace for the worst. Turns out, I’m not alone!

We are hardwired to resist change. Literally. Part of our brain – the amygdala – interprets change as a threat and responds by releasing the hormones for fear: fight or flight. Our body literally works to protect us from change. Change is not simply an event, but a psychological experience.

Not all change is bad! But, change does stir feelings of uncertainty. It interferes with our sense of autonomy and brings feelings of loss of control. With change often comes questions. How will this impact me? What will this feel like? Can I do it? Do I know where I’m going? Who will I meet there? What if I get lost?

Over the years, we’ve learned that change, big or small, is like tossing a pebble into a pond. Change creates ripples, and ripples reach distant areas we had not previously realized were connected. Change can simultaneously bring excitement and risk. Change brings the possibility of growth and joy but carries just as much opportunity for disappointment and pain.

Benjamin Franklin famously said that there are only two things that are certain in life—death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin overlooked the most important certainty we can cling to in life. Scripture is clear that God does not change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. In a world where change is all around, God is always the same. He is the same today as the day He spoke creation into being. He is the same today as He was when He raised Jesus from the grave. Since He never changes, that means His love is forever. His forgiveness is forever. His Word Is forever. Salvation in Him is forever.

A.W. Tozer said, “God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm.  His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” 

When we married our spouse, we knew there would be change. We jumped in heart and headfirst. New living conditions. New access to the person we wanted to spend time with the most. At the same time, things we didn’t realize would change: the items in our pantry or the way we fold bathroom towels. Even our spouse changed. We thought we knew all there was to know. Turns out we had no idea how they squeezed a tube of toothpaste or that they weren’t as into romantic comedies as we once thought.

The seasons of our marriage change. There are days when we can’t believe God has given us the gift of our spouse and days when we wonder how two such different people ever came together. We find ourselves moving from wilderness to oasis and back again. Beat up and worn out one moment, rested and content another. The amazing constant in it all is God is there. He’s there!

He’s there on our worst days. He’s there on our best days. His promises never change.

We have been created to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called as sons and daughters of our immutable God. Our response to change and our ability to mutually submit in love and respect to our spouse is not to be dictated by the feelings it stirs within us. Our response is to be driven by the knowledge that God is our rock, our foundation, incapable of change and His work is perfect.

When seasons change, when our spouse changes, let us hold fast to the One who never does. Let us run the race marked out before us according to who God is and who we are in light of that unchanging truth.

Deepening questions:

•  How do you respond to change?
• How does trusting God’s unchanging character and nature impact your response to change?
•  How does knowing and believing the promises of God impact the way you live as a husband/wife?  If you’ve not previously done so, this would be a great time to make a list of His promises to refer to in seasons of change.

Further reading:
Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Psalm 102:27, Isaiah 51:6, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 102, Ephesians 4:1-3, Hebrews 12:1-3