We have heard the statement, “There are only two things
certain in life-death and taxes.” The statement was originally written in 1716,
“Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes,”[1]
This statement may be partially true but one can add another, change.
We have witness more change in our lifetime than most of the
other generations since time began. Those born early in the 20th
century would never believe the advances that have been made in every area of
our lives. We are now facing one of the most challenges that we have ever seen.
We’ve seen many things happen in our country that only a writer of some weird
scientific fiction book could have ever dreamed about. There is no need to
enumerate these but allow me to just mention a couple of these.
We would have never believed that a silent enemy could strike
so violently and attack people of the entire world in such a short period of
time, take our country from the most admired economy in the world to one on the
brink of depression in a matter of weeks, force people to stay at home and only
get out for the absolute necessities of life and prohibit the assembling of
more than ten people in a particular gathering.
The freedom of assembling in a church has taken on another
dimension. The internet has become the house of worship. But, I ask will it now
become part of the new normal where “worship” will now be only a “presentation”
style rather than a “participation” style of worship? This will now be the
first time ever in the U.S.
that churches will not be able to assemble for Palm Sunday and Easter. These
are two of the most important Christian holidays for the church. (Sad that we
will not be able to assembly together.)
Some things will never change! God is still God and He will
never change. “Jesus
Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”. Who He is,
never changes. His attributes are the same from before the beginning of time
into eternity. His character never changes – He never gets “better” or “worse.”
His plans do not change. His promises do not change.
There is some
good news in the midst of our changing world. There is a source for peace and
joy, even in the midst of the storms of life—God. . What all of this means,
very simply, is that God is dependable! Our trust in Him is therefore a
confident trust, for we know that He will not, indeed cannot, change. His
purposes are unfailing, his promises unassailable.[2] He is still
the same as when He created the world. If God could change and His power be
diminished, He would cease to be God. Therefore, His love for us will always be
the same.
Can
anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves
us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute,
or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your
sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No,
despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who
loved us. And
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death
nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about
tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power
in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will
ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ
Jesus our Lord.[3]
Stay
safe and keep the faith. There is a brighter day coming and we can hope and
trust that we will become out of this better that we were when we entered this
storm. We can make it; our victory is just ahead!
God
bless each of you is my prayer.
