“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
The ancient Greek proverb in the title above speaks to the everchanging nature of life. The full quote brings his point into clearer view as he said, “No man ever steps into the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man.” This reality can be quite frightening as we recognize that both the conditions in our lives and our frame of mind are constantly on the move. Our places of work, our homes, our families, our friend groups, our finances, our health, our congregations, etc., etc. ebb and flow. Often the changes are permanent and life altering. Not only is everything around us changing and fading away, but we are everchanging and sure to fade away one day as well (Job 14:1-2; Isaiah 40:6-8; James 1:10; 4:13-15; 1 Peter 1:24).
If we do not manage these conditions properly, we can slip into depression, anxiety, and a host of other harmful conditions. We need something sure and steadfast to hold us steady as the new waters of this river flow over our feet. Throughout the Scriptures we see descriptions of God as the one constant in our otherwise transient existence. Unlike the conditions around us and within ourselves, the Lord is unchanging and everlasting (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hebrews 1:11-12; 13:8; James 1:17). This is such a crucial truth to understand as even our closest human relations often fail us or abandon us. Even those who remain faithful eventually come to an end through death and decay. God is the one ally we never have to worry about losing. The only way we lose Him is if we leave Him.
The fact that God’s nature never changes ensures that His word and will never changes either. How many times have our human relations changed their minds about various issues in life? This can make it difficult to know how to conduct ourselves within human relationships. Thankfully, God’s Word is forever “…settled in heaven” (Psalms 119:89). He will neither lie to us nor change His mind about what He demands (Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 30:5; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17-18). Unlike human might and glory, His word will never fail or fade (Isaiah 40:6-8; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Furthermore, His word always accomplishes its purpose of extending the opportunity and detailing the conditions for enjoying a covenant relationship with God (Psalms 19:7-11; Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13).
The hope embedded in God’s word, being unchanging and unbreakable, is the anchor of our souls (Hebrews 6:19). The key is to trust it, fix our minds on and live out the things revealed therein, so we may keep this life in proper view (Matthew 6:25-34; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:7; Colossians 3:1ff). Truly life is fleeting and everchanging, but we need not let that frighten us because we know our God is sure and steadfast.