God Is Unchanging
Jonah 3:10 (NIV)
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
During my quiet time in the new year I was pondering the question ‘What made me first fall in love with Jesus?’ If we’re going to be all-in living for Jesus, it’s important to reflect on the simplicity of that first thing that made us want to be all in. For me, it was his grace and kindness. His unchanging, stable and consistent grace.
In the story of Jonah we see God’s unchanging grace and an unmistakable act of his kindness. Firstly, his grace has no bounds - it extends to Jonah who tried to run away from him but also to the people of Nineveh. They were wicked people, yet when they turned to
follow him, he was gracious and ‘did not bring on the destruction he had threatened’.
From Jonah we can find hope that when we make mistakes or turn from God his unchanging and steadfast nature means that we are always welcomed back into his love.
But God is unchanging in more than his grace. In the story of Jonah we are shown God’s unchanging omniscience. From the beginning we see that God had a plan to get his word to the people of Nineveh, even when human desire (Jonah's resentment) got in the way. In this we can find hope that God has a plan for us and will turn all situations for our good and his glory. God knew that the people of Nineveh would turn away from him but it was his plan to send Jonah to preach the word so that he would not have to destroy the city. In 1 John 1:9 we read ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness.' God never changes his way; he is always willing to forgive us. We need only turn back to him.
Reflect – What first made you first fall in love with Jesus? How does this sharpen your perspective on his unchanging nature?
Prayer – God thank you that you are unchanging. Thank you that you forgive us our sins and welcome us back with grace and love. I’m sorry for where I have not trusted that you are unchanging, where I have gone my own way in lack of faith. I pray that my eyes will remain fixed on you.