Ever Faithful and Never Changing

     My father used to say that there was nothing more certain in life than "change".  He was right!  When we raised our four children, I found out very quickly how fast their minds would change when we took shopping trips.  This was especially true when I had promised them a treat.  First they would decide on one thing and in a few moments, they would decide on another.  Finally, I would have to say that if they could not make up their minds there would be no treats.  This usually stopped the cycle of indecision.  Lets face it.  All of us can be pretty fickle at times.  Thank goodness, though, we serve a God who is immutable or never changing.
    In reading the story of Balaam and Balak in the Book of Numbers (chapters 22-24), we find out that what God says He will do...He will do.  God does not equivocate like we do, and for that I am so grateful.  Balak, who was
the king in Moab, was terribly fearful of the Israelites who had camped not far away.  He saw that they defeated the Amorites, and thought this might be the fate of Moab as well.  So, he sent for his advisors and sent them to seek out Balaam who practiced divination and magic.  His goal was to have this man curse the Israelites so they would not win against Moab.  Balaam refused to go.  However, after much entreaty by Balak and discussion with the Lord, he went to meet with him.  God had told him not to say anything which He did not say about His people though.  Balaam made it clear to the king that he could only say that which the Lord told him to say.
     On the first occasion of seeing the people of Israel, Balaam could only bless the people of Israel.  This was not acceptable to Balak; so he had Balaam come to a different spot to observe the people.  Once again, God told Balaam only to bless the people and not curse them.  In his second oracle, he revealed something very important for us all to know.  Chapter 23 verse 19-20 reads:  "God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Has He said and will He not do it?  Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?    Behold, I received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot revoke it."  This portion of Scripture should be a blessing to everyone who reads and understands it.  The Lord will not change his mind.  His commandments stand for all time and His Word never changes.  Therefore, we can rely upon it.  Even when given a third chance to curse Israel, Balaam could not violate what God had said.  While Balak was frustrated, we can have peace of mind knowing that what God promises is certain.
     In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews reaffirms the immutability of God in chapter 13 verse 8:  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  He made this statement to encourage believers not to fall for false teachings that were spreading around.  What God proclaims is the truth stands no matter what man may say or do.  It does not change.
     Living in this fallen world is often difficult because people do let us down.  They make promises they do not keep or change their minds in a heartbeat.  Its almost like "trying to nail Jell-O to a tree" when it comes to getting people to keep their word.  Nevertheless, we can trust in God because He never wavers, changes or breaks His promise to us.  The Bible is proof of that as we read through its pages.  Time after time, God keeps His Word to His people.
     Through the new covenant we have in Jesus Christ by His blood, we are redeemed and given eternal life in Him when we confess our sins and believe.  He will come again for His bride the church as certainly as Balaam could not curse the children of Israel for King Balak.  This should give us peace and great joy.  Do not allow this world or the things in this world to drag you down because we have a God who never changes and His Word will never pass away.  Selah!