CONSTANT IN CHANGE

by Marsha Burns

Our cockatiel, Peaches, died. It’s not that we didn’t expect it; he lived more than 26 years and was the toughest bird we’ve ever known. He should have died several times, but just refused.

Anyway, I woke up the following morning thinking that this is the first time in my life that I haven’t had a pet. I grew up with livestock and pets. There was always something to feed or take care of. And, after I left my parent’s home, the tradition continued. I’ve had horses, rabbits, dogs, cats, and birds. But, Peaches was the “last of the Mohicans.”

I began to try to think about and count how many pets I’ve loved and cared for, and that morphed into thinking about how many changes have occurred in my life. Not only have my pets come and gone, but so have people come and gone. Relationships have changed; jobs and interests have changed.

It seems like the only thing we can count on is change. Yet, I’m wondering if we don’t generally find security in routine and in the things that stay the same?

In glancing over my shoulder into the past I realized that we are always in transition from one phase to another, and I thought to myself that I need to be more flexible and willing for change to come. It’s going to come whether I’m ready or not, and I can either look at life as one loss after another or I can see it as an adventure, ready to accept and even embrace the next step.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Change is inevitable even in the pressing on.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

That means that change comes so that whatever doesn’t look like the Lord is changed so that it does.

Solomon, as he was searching for meaning in this earthly existence, wrote:

Ecclesiastes 3:
1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?
10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.

Remember the old axiom, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes”? Well, maybe. But there was a time in this country when people didn’t pay taxes, and it depends on how we define death.

John 8:51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."

Death is described in this passage as misery in hell.

The only Constant in the midst of change that I can see is God Himself.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Malachi 3:6a "For I am the LORD, I do not change…

And, He will not abandon us!

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.

We need to be flexible enough to change as we cling to and stay focused on God, our one constant. That’s where we find our sense of security and safety.

Psalms 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

What is the name of the Lord? It is His character His unchanging, everlasting nature.
· Jehovah (Exodus 6:2,3) - The LORD
· Adonai Jehovah (Genesis 15:2) - Lord GOD
· Jehovah Bore (Isaiah 40:28) - The LORD Creator
· Jehovah Chereb (Deuteronomy 33:29) - The LORD... the Sword
· Jehovah Elyon (Genesis 14:18-20) - The LORD Most High
· Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah (Psalms 24:8)- The LORD Mighty In Battle
· Jehovah Maginnenu (Psalms 89:18) - The LORD Our Defense
· Jehovah Goelekh (Isaiah 49:26&60:16) - The LORD my Redeemer
· Jehovah Hashopet (Judges 11:27)- The LORD the Judge
· Jehovah Immeka (Judges 6:12)- The LORD Is with You
· Jehovah-jireth (Genesis 22:14)- The LORD Shall Provide
· Jehovah Kabodhi (Psalms 3:3)- The LORD My GOD
· Jehovah Keren-Yishi (Psalms 18:2)- The LORD the Horn of My Salvation
· Jehovah Machsi (Psalms 91:9)-The LORD My Refuge
· Jehovah Magen (Deuteronomy 33:29)- The LORD the Shield
· Jehovah Mauzzam (Psalms 37:39)- The LORD Their Strength
· Jehovah Mauzzi (Jeremiah 16:19) - The LORD My Fortress
· Ha-Melech Jehovah (Psalms 98:6) - The LORD the King
· Jehovah Mephalti (Psalms 18:2)- The LORD My Deliverer
· Jehovah Mekaddishkem (Exodus 31:13)- The LORD that Sanctifies You
· Jehovah Metsudhathi (Psalms 18:2) - The LORD My High Tower
· Jehovah Moshiekh (Isaiah 49:26&60:16) - The LORD Your Savior
· Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15) - The LORD My Banner
· Jehovah Ori (Psalms 27:1) - The LORD My Light
· Jehovah Uzzi (Psalms 28:7)- The LORD My Strength
· Jehovah Rophe (Exodus 15:26) - The LORD (our) Healer
· Jehovah Roi (Psalms 23:1) - The LORD My Shepherd
· Jehovah Sabaoth (Tsebaoth) (I Samuel 1:3) - The LORD of Hosts
· Jehovah Sali (Psalms 18:2) - The LORD My Rock
· Jehovah Shalom (Judges 6:24) - The LORD (our) Peace
· Jehovah Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35) - The LORD Is There
· Jehovah Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) - The LORD Our Righteousness
· Jehovah Tsuri (Psalms 19:14) - O LORD My Strength
Isaiah 45:18 For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.”

He is our Constant in change!

Faith Tabernacle

http://ft111.com