Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you. Would you open your Bible, please, with me to Isaiah, the forty-third chapter—Isaiah chapter 43—for our time in God’s Word.

It’s really quite amazing to think that just a few weeks ago we were experiencing temperatures in the mid-70s. And then you compare that to what we have recently been experiencing—from the mid-70s to minus numbers when you factor in the wind chill. Quite a change, wasn’t it?

Not too long ago, just a few weeks back, I was outside watering the flowers and wondering whether or not I should put the sprinkler on for an additional day that week. And then winter came—came with a vengeance. Quite a change.

We can be sure of this, can’t we? In life, there will always be change. Some change is good. Some change comes as a surprise, and it’s wonderful change. But life also brings change that is not good—change that is difficult.

God prepares us for those times when change brings about that which is not good. Look with me, please, at Isaiah chapter 43. We’ll begin with verse 2.

This is a series of promises, and these promises apply to us:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.”

“For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Amidst all the change that life brings, we can trust in the promises of God. We can trust in the One who is changeless. In Malachi chapter 3, we read, “For I the Lord do not change.” In Numbers 23, we read, “God is not a human being, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

God’s grace, God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s sovereignty—they abound. And we see God’s love and mercy and grace and sovereignty most clearly in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus bears our sin and forgives us. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God. The tomb is empty. The sacrifice has been accepted.

God’s grace and mercy and love and sovereignty abound—and they will never change, because God never changes. So whether it’s the mid-70s or whether it’s zero degrees outside, what remains constant is God’s incredible love and mercy and grace for us.

Whatever change comes about in life, whatever change we experience, we know that God’s promises are for us, and we can trust in the changeless One.

Let us pray.

Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time in your Word. Your Word is truth. We give you thanks, O Lord, that you never change. We thank you for your steadfast nature, for your grace and mercy and love and sovereignty. We thank you, Lord, that amidst all the changes that life can bring, your care for us never, ever changes.

In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

God bless you. Encourage Someone!  

Pastor Eibel