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GOD'S MYSTERIOUS IMMUTABILITY
This article was posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008
GOD’S MYSTERIOUS IMMUTABILITY
This one whose will often seems confusing and mysterious is faithful to the end. Consistently and immutably the same. Strange as it may seem, our God stays faithful, constant and ever present in and over our lives even when we cannot sense His presence, even when we question His plan, even when we disobeyed Him, blown it royally and are suffering the consequences. A nation can slide into a series of moral compromises that lead to tragic consequences. Those consequences can escalate to such a degree that everything becomes chaotic. This happened to the ancient Jews. In fact, Hosea, the prophet called it reaping the whirlwind.
“For they sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7a).
Moses gave a warning to the Jews as they were entering Canaan. “You’re entering a culture that is idolatrous! It is a way of living that is opposed to your monotheistic way of life. Stay true. Stay firm. Be distinct. Don’t compromise. No idols. No marriage with them. Remember Jehovah. Obey Him. Watch out for sign of erosion….. “
Pay attention to the first few steps down the slope… because that’s the culprit and why God commands Hosea, “ Put the trumpets to your lips!v1 Scream it out,son! sound the alarm! tell the people, “It isn’t worth it, it isn’t worth it.”
Compromise always complicates our commitment. – but never forget. God doesn’t leave. Grieved and disappointed, He faithfully ushers in the consequences. God doesn’t distance Himself even when He pours on the discipline. Why? because He is immutable. amazingly, consistently and from our point of view, mysteriously faithful.-
Lamentation is the 2nd book of Jeremiah. To lament is to cry out with words of grief.
DISOBEDIENCE IS ALWAYS A CYCLE OF COMPLICATIONS!
1. When we compromise the truth, we begin to be afflicted. God doesn’t let His children play fast and lost in the traffic. He faithfully discipline those He loves. He wants to bring us back to Him. Lamentation 3: 3-11.
2. When we compromise truth, hope flees- Lamentation 3: 14-16, 17, 20.
God was there all along, overseeing faithfully the consequence, waiting for the man to repent, acknowledge his wrongdoing and humbly return to the joy he had left.- For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? To have a joyful heart requires a fellowship with the living God.
3. When we compromise truth, God doesn’t move, we do!
F.B. Meyer wrote how the Hebrews compromise brought suffering on themselves-
“In the case of the Chosen People, who for nearly 70 years had been strangers in a strange land and had drunk the cup of bitterness to its dregs, there was thus added weight to their sorrows_ the conviction of their captivity being the result of their own impenitence and transgression. This is the bitterness of all that suffering need not have been; that it has resulted from indescretion and inconsistency; that it is the harvest of ones own sowing; that the vulture which feeds on the vitals is a nestling of one own rearing. Ah me! this is pain! There is an inevitable Nemesis in life. The laws of the harvest and home of the soul and human laws of the heart and home of the soul and human life, cannot be violated with impunity. Sin maybe forgiven; the fire of penalty may be changed into the fire of trial; the love of God may seem nearer and dearer than ever- and yet there is the awful pressure of pain; the trembling heart; the failing eyes and pinning of soul; the harp on the willows; the refusal of the lips to sing the Lord’s song.”
When we compromise truth, God doesn’t move- we do. that’s what happens when we deliberately walk away from the will and ways of God. He remains faithful by our side grieved over our condition- wire the ones who moved.
A couple driving home after celebrating the 25th year anniversary at a fine restaurant, the wife setting over against the passenger door side. He was behind the wheel as she began to lament.
“Oh honey, remember when we were so close? I mean, I remember when we first got married. We sat so close that you could hardly shift gears, and look at us now_ to which he responded with a shrug, “Well, I never moved.”
That’s the way it is with our God.
“Lord, I remember when we used to be close.”
“I never moved.”
“I remember that time when You and I were on speaking terms.”
“I never moved. I’m still listening. I’m still here.”
“I remember when I used to talk to You in a very private moments and You meant something to me.”
“I never moved! I never went anywhere. When you chose to distance yourself from Me. You’re still important to Me.”
BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL THERE IS HOPE –
1. The Lord’s mercies and lovingkindness never cease.
2. The Lord’s compassion never fails
3.The Lord’s faithfulness never diminishes.
Even when I blow it? Yes, even when you blow it. Even when I make several stupid decisions? Even when you make several stupid decisions. Even when my marriage fails? Even when your marriage fails! even when I know better. Even when you knew better. His faithfulness never diminishes-
That defines God’s immutability -He doesn’t change.” He has to remain faithful. Being immutable, He not only will not change in His faithfulness, He cannot change. He never cools off in His commitment to us. He never breaks a promise or losses enthusiasm. He stays near us when we are zealous for the truth, and He stays near us when we reject His counsel and deliberately disobey. He remains intimately involved in our lives whether we are giving Him praise in prayer or grieving Him hurt by our actions. Whether we are running to Him or from Him, He remains faithful. His faithfulness is unconditional, unending, and unswevering. Nothing we do can diminish it and nothing we stop doing can increase it. It remains great. His immutability never diminishes, mysterious though such incredible constancy may seem, its true. (Lamentation 3:22-23)
Trust God to remember you. He won’t forget your name. He won’t forget your circumstances. His immutability won’t make Him forget us. Isaiah 49: 14-16.
We are engraved in the palms of God’s hands.
TRUST GOD TO REMEMBER YOU- LAMENTATION 3:25-29
How to do it?
1. Stop running and start waiting (v.25a) Wait patiently.
2. start seeking Him again (v.25b)
Instead of ignoring Him, return to His open arms. Just dump the full load of your guilt on Him. He can handle it, then stop talking and sit silently. Be quiet (V.28).
3. Submit willingly. “Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is is hope. (V.29) It suggests no rationalizing, no excuses. Shove your mouth to the ground if that will help. Stop trying to get around the heinousness and horror in your life. Face it. Submit willingly…… Lamentation 3: 30-32
“Like dominous standing on end, those actions bump up against another. It starts with love, leads to mercy and then compassion; then grace washes over you as your immutable God gives you a fresh start. Stop fighting and submit to Him. It works. I know, I’ve been there…. more times than I want to remember.”
From Sermon of Dr. Charles Swindoll
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