By Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
In the natural course of things, one thing is sure- change. Things in nature change. People change.
Look at nature. Fall changes to winter; winter changes to spring. Spring gives way to summer. Due to erosion, the course of rivers and outlines of ocean shores are altered.
Look at people. Babies learn to crawl- then they walk. Children become teens; teens become adults. Our hair turns gray- or we lose it. Things change from the very simplest to the most complex.
Isn’t it good to know that, spiritually speaking, some things never change? Scripture declares that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is in control. Since He is in control, His people will win in the end. Since the Lord does not change, truths in His Word will not change.
One thing that will never change- Jesus is the way of salvation. Scripture teaches that whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The following verses reveal the humility of Jesus and the exaltation that resulted:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
Acts 4:12 declares that there is no salvation in anyone else because there is no other name given whereby we may be saved. Scripture is clear about this- whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Another truth is that we need Jesus if we are to ever be the people God wants us to be. He wants us to be faithful and holy- we cannot attain these expectations on our own. If we are to produce the fruit He wants us to produce- we have to be fully connected to Him. In John 15:4-5, Jesus explained this: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15: 4-5)
Thirdly, God is in control. Psalm 24:1 declares that the earth is the Lord’s- and all they that dwell therein. Psalm 75:5-7 says He is the ultimate authority: “Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Yes, God is in control. Due to God being in control, we that know Him will never have to hang our heads in defeat. II Corinthians 2:14 is true for us: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
Considering these matters, it makes good sense to serve the Lord. While everything around us changes, He remains the same. Thank God for His stability in a very unstable world.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 