Has God Changed?

Let's take a look at these scriptures:

1. Malachi 3:6
"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

2. Genesis 6:6-7
"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. And the Lord said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.""

3. Exodus 32:14
"So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people."

4. Jonah 3:10
"When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it."

You might get confused and feel that God is contradicting Himself. When we see God changimg His mind, we look at it from a human perspective, which is limited. But if you ask God to help you understand the depth of these scriptures, you will realise that when God says He doesn't change, He is speaking about His nature and character. His nature will remain constant. But this does not mean that He cannot change how He works with people throughout history.

Since God holds our future in His hands, He knows it all. Yet He prefers to let us use our free will and He has another plan ready for us, with a hope that we will run back to Him. Hence, we have an everlasting hope in Christ. In the same manner, He also knows His plan of changing His mind. Like in the case of Jonah, God gave the people a chance to repent. Thus, His nature of loving His creation and hoping they would return to Him didn't change, only His approach towards the people changed.

God, as in His love towards us, His truth, mercy, grace, kindness....His character doesn't change. What changes is His way of working in lives. Just as we all differ from each other, so does His work differ in our lives.

Can you imagine if God worked in the same way on all our lives, would we have anything new and out of the box to share with each other, to encourage and uploft each other?
Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

God of the Impossible!

“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!..”

-2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (New Living Translation)

“Then king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land…”

-2 Chronicles 32:20-21 (New Living Translation)

Sounds impossible? Well, our God is a God of the Impossible! This is not the first instance where you can witness God’s power to rescue His people. Throughout the Bible, He reminds us of his faithfulness, yet when we face an ambush by the enemy, we tend to doubt His presence.

If you go through the story of Hezekiah and understand the background of the verses I’ve mentioned, you will understand the challenge Hezekiah had to face. At one end the Assyrian army which was stronger than Hezekiah’s army; and on the other end the Israelites, who needed to be encouraged. But, didn’t Hezekiah need encouragement too? Wasn’t he in a more responsible position? He also would have panicked for that moment; but he was reminded of God’s great power. He believed that God was faithful and He was all that they needed. He rested in the fact that ‘God is Mighty to Save!’

You might face an ambush by the enemy. Maybe, you’re just not ready to face the storm raging towards you but it seems inevitable. People around you might no be helpful in lifting you up – maybe, they’re just pushing you even closer to the storm. What do you do at such a time? Do you question ‘God, where are you?’ or do you proclaim in faith ‘I know you’re here, God. I know that You will carry me through’?

It is easier said than done; but when we are rooted in Christ, keep consuming His word and His Truth, things become much easier to follow. Hezekiah was able to encourage his people because he knew that his God was able to help him achieve the impossible.

If you feel disheartened, let down, crushed or overcome, believe in God who can do the impossible for you. If things are not in your favor today, He will turn the tables for you at His right time, in His right way. As Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, so will your situations change. God has called you to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). If you cry out to Him, He will answer you and deliver you. The only thing you need to remember is that faith and fear don’t go hand in hand. The more you keep focusing on His goodness in your life and the more you remember all the times He has delivered you, you will find it easier to trust in His faithfulness. Shift your focus from your storm to His goodness. Keep reminding yourself of His mighty works in your life. Keep encouraging yourself with the testimonies of fellow believers. Trust that your God can make a way where there seems to be no way. All you have to do is give your battles to the Lord, let Him lead you and guide you through. He will either win it for you without you doing anything (all you need to do is trust Him), or He will empower you through His Spirit to fight it out; the result will remain the same – You will emerge as a victor if you trust Him and obey Him.

If Not Now, Then When?

'If not now, then when Lord?' Azlyn cried out. She had latched herself in her room and was crying bitterly. Her lips quivered as she spat out these words in utter frustration.

She had unanswered prayers lined up. She was in the midst of a situation with no idea of what to do next or where to head. All she could do was cry. She thought God was a distant truth at this point; but deep down she knew that He was there-in control of her situation. But she was human and it was natural for her to be frustrated in the situation she was stuck in.

When she cried herself to sleep, she experienced something beautiful. She could feel she was in the arms of God! She could feel a peace that passed all understanding. She heard a gentle whisper that took away all her fears and filled her with hope and strength:
'My beautiful Azlyn, Let me remind you that you are not forgotten. Each time you feel I'm away, remember my promises. I am a promise keeper. Remember that I sacrificed my only Son because I loved you and I always will. So don't be dejected.
I know you are frustrated and I understand your state of mind. I won't condemn you for it. It is natural for you to feel that way. I created you with those emotions, honey.
You need to understand that I'm your father and I have plans for you to prosper. I care for you more than anyone else could. I know, according to you, there's a delay from my end; but I know the right time to do the right thing. You don't need to workout things your way and your time. Trust me. I know that sometimes it's necessary to cry and vent out your feelings, but there's no human there to understand how you feel. There are many out there to advise you. And all they do is advise. But you know that you can come to Me when you want to pour out your heart. You know that I'm always there to carry you in My arms and listen to all that you have to say.
Trust me Azlyn. I'm always at work in your life. I believe that you're worth every blessing. Don't look down upon yourself. I know there are people trying to pull you down. I know there are people trying to hurt you. But Azlyn, you need to stop worrying about those and you need to start thinking over your actions. And you'll be fine.
Cast all your cares on me my child. I will carry you through it all. Trust in my time. I'll make all things beautiful!'
Azlyn woke up after a couple of hours. She realised that it was the Spirit of God who refreshed her. She felt rejuvenated, relaxed: something that she longed to feel in weeks. She knew what she had to do now. Cast her worries on her true friend-Jesus Christ. She realised that God was not also an option, but God was her only option.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/psa.91.1-16.nlt

Voice of Truth

As I look ahead, all I can see is darkness
My soul isn't at rest
The ones whom I call my own
Look down on me as I fail to give my best.
I decide to be still.
I know that it is only the Voice of Truth that can calm my soul
The voice that calmed the storm,
The voice thay called Lazarus out of the grave!
I know that my soul can be rest assured in Him and His promises.
I stand there and continue to look ahead
All I can see is darkness yet
But now....
...I can also see a path in the wilderness
My soul is peaceful-
Flooded with peace that passeth all understanding!
I now know there is a way,
I know the One who leads me,
I trust my GOOD SHEPHERD!
"I can hear the voice of Truth; and I will choose to listen and believe it."