Devotional: God is Immutable Malachi 3:1-6; Hebrews 13:1-8

“‘For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed’” (Malachi 3:6, NASB).

We live in a world that is constantly changing. People want to see change. People want to make progress. In this technological word it is hard sometimes to keep up with the latest trends. Change is so taking place so rapidly that there is a need for people to specialize in different areas of expertise so that others can learn from the specialist what they are to do or not to do in a given situation. While change is good and progress is welcome, Christians serve a God that is immutable. God does not change.

There are two passages of Scripture that reminds us that God does not change. God is fixed in His attributes and in His essence. In Malachi, the post exile prophet brings to the attention of the children of Israel that have returned to Jerusalem that they are not living according to God’s laws and statues. The prophet reminds the people that they are guilty of the same sins and injustices that caused God to send them into exile. God has a remedy for these conditions. “‘Behold I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me’” (Malachi 3:1, NASB). God will draw near to the people to judge them. The Lord will be judge those who fail to execute justice and righteous; to those who oppressed those who have little strength and little power.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us be reminded of the truth that God is immutable. Time changes, but Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a sense in which God and people do not change. “I know that everything God does remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has worked that men should fear Him. That which is has already been, for God seeks what has passed by” Eccl. 3:14-15, NASB).

You might say that these scriptures come from the Old Testament when God’s people lived under the old covenant. We live under a new covenant because Jesus has come. However if one compares Malachi 3 with Hebrews 13 one will see that the same principle that God is immutable remains true. The New Testament writer of the Book of Hebrews confirms this truth by writing, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. I thank God that I serve and worship a God that is immutable.

Prayer: Lord God, I am thankful that we have security in knowing that we can trust you to be the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.