Some Things Never Change - Martin Wiles

I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6 NLT

Some things never change. Among them a fort.

When I was a child, my grandparents built me forts. They took four kitchen chairs, placed them in a north, south, east, west position, and then covered them with a sheet or heavy spread.

Fifty years later, nothing has changed. My oldest grandsons issued a request: “Build us a fort.” Not having room for four chairs, I placed three in the north, south, and west position and covered them with a queen-size quilt and a blanket. In the words of my middle grandson, “It is perfect.” They played in it all day and even took their afternoon nap there.

I’m amazed that children continue to play some of the same games throughout the generations. Even with the technological changes, some old games still seize a child’s attention. Games that require only the imagination. In like manner, God never changes, as He said through the prophet Malachi.

God always loves. His love led Him to create us, His love leads Him to continue putting up with our foibles—even our acts of rebellion against Him—and His love propelled Him to send His Son to die for our sins. The offer to forgive our sins remains forever, on the condition that we confess and repent.

God forever acts in the best interests of His people. He has good plans for us—plans to prosper us. When we follow His plans, we enjoy life at its best.

For those who love Him, God promises to weave all things together for their good. Every event is permitted or initiated by His loving hand. Nothing happens that isn’t under His control. His power is great enough to take evil and bring good from it.

God’s power is sufficient to deliver us from all temptations. While He allows Satan to tempt, He also promises to make a way of escape so we don’t have to fall into the trap. All we must do is look for the open door and trust in God’s power to help us overcome.

God also grows our faith. As a child matures physically and emotionally, so God wants us to mature spiritually. Through mountain and valley experiences, He initiates our growth.

Many things will change, but never doubt God’s love for you or His involvement in your life.

Tweetable: Do you ever doubt God's love?

Prayer:  Father, thank You that You are a never-changing God. 

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When Matches Don’t Match - Martin Wiles

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. Jonah 1:3 NLT

Even when the card he selected didn’t match, he kept trying until he got it right.

My oldest grandson loves one of the Bible apps we installed on his iPad. Each story has a game associated with it, but you must listen to the story before it will let you play the game. His favorite is the story of Noah. The screen fills with overturned cards, each containing an animal that was on the ark. Matching all the animals with their pair is the object of the game.

Levi’s reactions vary according to what kind of mood he’s in on any given day when he plays the game. He may utter an “Oh man,” and keep trying. Or after two failed attempts, he may say, “I don’t want to play this game anymore,” and select another one. He may lay the iPad aside and find something else to do. Occasionally, he gets angry.

Jonah’s reaction wasn’t much different. God told him to go to Nineveh and preach to the people. If they didn’t repent in short order, He planned to reign down judgment. Jonah wasn’t excited about the mission. God’s plan didn’t match his. He knew the Ninevites reputation. He’d love to see them destroyed—not saved. So he ran. God has good plans for His people, but sometimes His plans don’t match mine.

 

When God’s plans don’t match mine, I have several choices. I can rebel like Jonah. I can run, change jobs, change spouses, change colleges, or change my goals. I can also bargain with God. Jonah probably did—at least in his mind. Okay God, if I go and tell them to repent, will You promise to destroy them if they don’t? But God drives a hard bargain because He’s always right—and I often have difficulty admitting that. Or I can manipulate, take things into my own hands, and do it my way. That never works—even though God may give me enough rope to hang myself.

When God’s plans and mine don’t match, the best thing is submitting to His. His plans are for my good and His glory. Obeying them results in blessings I won’t receive otherwise. God’s plans originate out of love. Obeying them will take me to spiritual heights I’ve never experienced before.

Don’t insist on doing it your way when God’s plans don’t match yours. Do it His way.

Tweetable: What do you do when God's plan doesn't match yours?

Prayer: Father, give us faith to follow Your plan for our lives so we can experience Your best. 

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