Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
One of the on-line students I was working with in the training chat program was having difficulties with the Java concept of strings. Strings are simply a series of characters; an empty string contains no characters, a short string contains one or a few letters or numbers, and a long string can contain many paragraphs of text. I explained to the student that once he had declared (or created) a string, he could not make changes to it. That is because, I told the student, strings are immutable. Oh, he replied, that’s a Bible word. That’s right, I told him, God’s Word can’t change. Amen! he replied, confirming my suspicions that he was a Christian. God’s Word is indeed immutable, unchangeable forever. That’s because the God Who gave us His Word is immutable.
In Java, if you attempt to change a string, the program crashes. It will not compile. Similarly, if we try to change the Lord Jesus from how He is presented in His Word, we have a theology that will never work. The One Who framed our world with the Word of His power is the same One Who walked with Adam in the cool of the day, Who visited with Abraham in his tent on the plains of Mamre, Who parted the Red Sea for the fleeing Israelites, Who shook Mount Sinai as the Law was delivered, Who caught away Elijah in the whirlwind, Who lay wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem’s feedbox, Who stilled the storm on Galilee with a command, Who satisfied the storm of God’s wrath with His blood at Golgotha, and Who promised His disciples He will come again. He has not changed nor can change, nor ever break a promise or commitment. He is an anchor on Whom we can forever depend.
Many years ago, I received from my Lord exceeding rich and precious promises. So did you. At the time when those promises became precious to me, I was thankful. Today, I can bring out those same promises, and be assured that what I received so long ago is just as valid now. Is it any wonder that the people of God break forth in worship as we consider Him and all of His magnificent immutibility. –Jim MacIntosh