Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
We love to quote it. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. (See also Psalm 90:2, 102:27-28; John 8:56-58; James 1:17). But, do we live like we believe it?
It is a wonderful thing to understand that our loving, merciful and holy God does not change. He has promised that if we are faithful to Him that He will be faithful to us.
When Moses was 120 years old (!) he spoke to the people of Israel telling them that the LORD would be taking them to the Promised Land with Joshua leading them. He tells them, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Later, as Moses was about to die, the Lord spoke to him:
And the LORD said to Moses: “Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ Deuteronomy 31:16-17
So, early in the chapter God promises He will be with them and will not leave them nor forsake them. Later, He says that because of their unfaithfulness to Him (they would forsake Him and break the covenant they had with Him, verse 16), He will forsake them. God didn’t change – the Israelites changed.
This shows that God’s promises are not “unconditional.” He is faithful to keep His Word, and His Word says that He will look to the ones who have contrite spirits and tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2).
Moses has emphasized God’s trustworthiness to the people of Israel, God’s chosen people. It continues to be the truth that we need to consider today as God’s people, the Church. He expects us to trust Him, to tremble at His Word and obey His commands (John 14:15). Do we even need to consider: “Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?” Deuteronomy 31:17b
As we go through these difficult days of being locked down in our homes, will we examine our own hearts for how we are trusting God? Does our murmuring and complaining sound more like a disgruntled Israelite in the desert than it does a faithful follower of Jesus Christ? Are we able to speak the truth without slandering those (especially within the household of faith) who disagree with us?
Though the responses from the state have been unbiblical (it is only biblical to quarantine the sick [Numbers 5:1-4]), Christians must remain faithful to God first. We can be content in our circumstances and speak the truth about what the scriptures say. We can make our desire to return to work and life known without using words as sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18 ESV).
Jesus, the One who never changes, expects us to be grateful, peaceful, and joyful people, trusting Him above any other “power” that may try to usurp His authority (Matthew 28:18).
Who have you and I placed our trust in today? Is it the same One it was yesterday and will be tomorrow?