Spring 2023 has sprung in Broken Arrow, OK

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Unchanging Nature of God

We had a wild night last night in our neck of the woods!  An overnight windstorm blew though with winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour.  In its wake the high winds left a path of downed trees and electrical wires which resulted in power outages and road closures.  Our power blinked numerous times in the early evening and then went out at 7:55 pm.  It didn’t come on again until 5:55 am!

It definitely was a different weather pattern than we are used to in the Redwood Empire.  In all my years living here, I can never remember the power being out that long!  It was more like our stay in Oklahoma, where severe weather and power outages seem to be a regular event.  We had one ice storm where the powers lines were coated with so much ice and became so heavy that they just fell from the weight.  The power in most of the city of Broken Arrow where we lived, was out for multiple days.  In some areas of nearby Tulsa, it was out for 2 weeks!
The storm that blew through last night is a perfect example of how things around us can change at any time.  One minute we were sitting on the couch watching a movie and everything was calm.  Then all of a sudden we startled by a gust of wind and heard or rather felt a branch hit the house as it fell from an overhanging tree.  A few moments later the lights blinked twice and went out.  As we sat in the darkness all we could hear was the wind howling through the myriad of trees in our neighborhood.
In actuality, we were not left in complete darkness when the power went out as I was texting one of our kids and had the light from the cell phone!  In the reflection of that light, I glanced over at my wife sitting next to me and her expression never changed.  She had the same peaceful look as she had a few minutes earlier with all the lights on in the house.  In difference to our dog, who was immediately spooked when the atmosphere suddenly changed, my wife seemed completely calm, not having been phased in the least!  Her reaction reminded me of the unchangeableness of God.
I Thessalonians 5:24 informs us that “God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it (us!) complete.” (Bible in Basic English)  Numbers 23:19 tells us that God is not like man, and assures us that “He doesn’t change his mind.  When he makes a promise, he keeps it” (God’s Word ©)  Paul told his readers that he was “convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion…” (God’s Word ©)
The knowledge of this FACT is the foundation of my strength throughout the journey that my wife and I are on, as we depend on His faithfulness to His Word to see us through in victory!  Time after time He has confirmed His Word to us in proof of His faithfulness and in defiance to the words of the naysayers who have openly disagreed with us. 
It happened again yesterday as I read of some new research that proves that one of the main medications that my wife has been on for a few years continues to show positive results even after what once was thought to be only a six to twelve month treatment.   It confirmed an argument I had with an MD over two years ago.  He basically told me that I didn’t know what I was talking about, even though I had first-hand experience as to what would happened to her when she was off the medication.  He wanted to pull her off the prescription and I didn’t.  I asked to see a specialist and he agreed that she should stay on the treatment.  Now there is documented proof to what I believed was God’s direction for my wife at the time!
So even though everything may be changing around you, God NEVER changes!  You can DEPEND on that fact!  I have stood my ground on the assurance of His faithfulness to my wife and I in the face of false accusations and disheartening comments made to me by a few individuals and He HAS NEVER let us down!  And you know what?  You can do the same without any second thoughts!  Hebrews 10:35 encourages us to not “lose your confidence (for) it will bring you a great reward.” (God’s Word ©)  In the original languages the word “confidence” infers “all out spokenness, frankness, bluntness and assurance.” (Strong’s)  Thayer’s Greek Definitions calls it “cheerful courage.”
So you can boldly smile in the face of other’s disbelief and fears because you know that your loving, heavenly Father will NEVER CHANGE any of the promises He has given to you!  Have a great weekend.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”

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