Moving

TITLE: Moving
DATE: December 17, 2019

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: James 1:17 - ESV - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

I truly love going to Anniversary celebrations.

I especially love attending those  which are remembering an event which took place more than 50-years ago, I like these anniversary celebrations because you just never know what is going to be said by the principals or their families.

I can remember a party where the couple with a half-century of experiences were talking about the changes they had seen The wife reminisced: “When we first got married, when we went driving we always sat right next to each other.”

The groom got a good laugh from the gathered family and friends when, with well-rehearsed shock at his wife’s comment,  he replied, “That may be so, my dear, but I’d like to point out, in my defense, I’m not the one who has moved.”

I would like to point out that the Lord can say the same thing. No matter what sins we commit; no matter how wrongful we may have lived, the Lord doesn’t move.

That the Lord doesn’t move is one of those great truths of Scripture which took me a long time to figure out. Even so it is true.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the Lord Who had loved them, continued to do so and promised a means to escape damnation in the Person of His Son.

The rest of the Old Testament is a broken record of history repeating itself.  God loves His people; His people forget Him and believe they are better off on their own. The Lord still loves them and through various reminders and punishments, calls them back to a proper relationship with Him. The people repent and peace reigns until they start the whole process again.

From start to finish, you will note, the Lord hasn’t changed. He still loves His people; He still wants to save them and He still wants their thanks, worship and repentant hearts.

The Lord doesn’t change. It is a lesson I hope we learn more easily than the Children of Israel.

I remember one of my families who learned. One Sunday, years ago, they came to church. That Sunday was exactly one year after their  young daughter had been killed in an auto accident. They confessed their loss was great.

But they also said, “How much greater would be our loss without Jesus.

They told me and others that Jesus provides a comfort no one else can. It was a conclusion they came to the day they received that tragic news. They said they had a choice. Either they could believe God had changed and suddenly had become cruel, vindictive, hurtful and monstrous…. Or else He remained the Lord they had known; the loving Lord Who had just rescued their daughter and given her a home in heaven where they would soon see her.  

The choice was not a hard one to make.

My friends. do you mourn, Jesus will comfort. Do  you grieve? Jesus will provide peace. Do you feel that everyone and everything is dumping on you and there is no way out. Relax. Jesus will unbury  you. Do you despair about future, friends or getting ahead? Jesus can improve your self- image in a way that no battery of support groups can.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I rejoice that You are the same Lord of love You have always been. On days when I think You have may have changed, may I first look at where I am. In Jesus precious Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html