Bob Dylan famously sang that “the times they are a-changin.’” The times may be a-changin,’ but God is not.
We are familiar with God’s message to the exiled Jews in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I change not;” however God conveyed this truth centuries earlier when He said to Moses, “I am that I am:” (Exodus 3:14).
“I am,” not “I was,” not “I will be,” not “I might be at some point,” God is. Always.
From Moses to Malachi, all points between, and even in the future. God is. He does not change. The writer of Hebrews described our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8). During times of uncertainty, it’s encouraging to recall Bible verses that remind us of God’s faithfulness, provision, and protection, and it is just as important to remember that God does not change.
While God does not change, times do change – this is also an important point to remember. In the King James Version of the Bible, the phrase “It came to pass” can be found more than 100 times. When speaking about adversity, Dr. Charles Stanley said, “It came to pass. It didn’t come to stay!” Times of uncertainty change, they don’t last forever.
As we pass through times of uncertainty, we are promised that God – God who never changes – will be with us.
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2). In this one verse alone, God promises that He will be with us and He promises us His protection. Whether times of uncertainty have us overflowing with fear or overwhelmed with worry, He is with us. Like Peter walking to Jesus on the water, the critical thing to remember during times of uncertainty is to keep our eyes on Him.
Nothing is a surprise to God. Part of God being the great I am, present from before the beginning, and with us always, means that nothing is a surprise to God. He’s omniscient (He knows everything). Before we were formed in the womb, He knew us, and He had all our days written in His book.
While there are plenty of surprises for us, we can rest and wait patiently in the fact that He’s got everything under control, and He controls everything because He’s omnipotent (all-powerful).
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
While we may be surprised or disappointed when our plans don’t turn out quite as we imagined, God’s plans always stand. While we grow impatient waiting and thinking that times of uncertainty last too long, God is always right on time and on His schedule. No season surprises Him, and what seems uncertain to us is never a surprise to Him.
Charles Spurgeon, who was called the prince of preachers, said in one of his sermons that “God has not passed over you in His providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows will also furnish you with what you need. Do not sit down in despair, hope on, hope ever. There is One who cares for you, His eye is fixed on you. He will bind up your wounds and heal your broken heart. Do not doubt His grace because of your tribulation, but believe that He loves you as much in your seasons of trouble as in times of happiness.”
“As the present now will later be past,” Dylan sang.
Past, present, and future, we can trust times of uncertainty to our most certain God.