Unchanging
In an ever-changing, always-moving, constantly-shifting world, we can count on the unchanging nature of God.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews said it like this:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
A title for the three distinct parts, or “Persons,” of God is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the Son—Jesus Christ—is the purest reflection of the Father, who never changes.
When you unpack the stunning mystery that is God made flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, you’ll notice that He said audacious things like: “I and the Father are one,” (John 10:30) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” (John 14:9) and, “Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5)
John described Jesus as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
God said of Himself, “I the Lord do not change...” (Malachi 3:6) This unchanging quality is called the immutability of God.
From generation to generation, God is the immovable rock where we can firmly plant our faith.
God cannot lie. He cannot be unjust. He’s always good. He’s always faithful. He’s fully perfect. He’s self-sufficient. He’s continuously steady and constant, enduring and everlasting.
If your world has been rocked, or if everything around you seems to be shifting, or if it's challenging to tell what is solid rock and what is shifting sand, you can trust in, count on, and place your hope in Jesus.
He’s not only your righteous Savior, but He’s also your unchanging God.
Hope for the Poor in Spirit
Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 ESV
To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.
So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?
Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a ...