When you’re living in a world where people and things are constantly changing, it’s bewildering to even comprehend the Creator of it all doesn’t change. That’s right, God does not change.
He tells us Himself in His Word. Malachi 3:6 reads, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore, you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed,” (ESV).
Seasons change. People change. Neighborhoods change. Life changes, but God does not change.
God Does Not Change Verses
Some other Scriptures that declare God’s unchanging nature are:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19)
Found in Psalm 103, are some of the many benefits of trusting our never-changing God.
· forgiveness
· healing
· redemption
· loving kindness
· satisfies our mouth with good things
· executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed
· merciful
· gracious
· slow to anger
Remember, God does not change and neither do these benefits. Look at Psalm 103 at your leisure and see how many more you can add to the list.
God Does Not Change His Word
Not only does God not change, but His Word doesn’t change, either.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8);
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens (Psalm 119:89);
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Matthew 24:35).
I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s comforting to know that I can rely on God’s unchanging Word. This means that whatever God promises in His Word, you can believe in Him. You can count on Him.
Take Numbers 23:19, for example, God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
God’s word does not return to Him void. If He said it, He will do it.
Now say that in the present tense. If God says it, He will do it. If God says it, consider it done. His word does not change.
God doesn’t change his word, if He has promised you something; you better believe that is done before its existence. – Euginia Herlihy
God Does Not Change His Promises
Okay, now that we’ve established God does not change and His word doesn’t change, let’s look at how His promises.
God’s Word is His promise. If His Word doesn’t change, that means His promises don’t change, either.
2nd Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him, our ‘Amen’ is spoken to the glory of God” (BSV).
How many of His promises are yes? That’s right, ALL of them. Those are shouting words right there.
God’s purpose and plans for us are made upon the unchangeable wisdom and knowledge. He doesn’t change His mind. – Euginia Herlihy
Related:
Praying scripture for your breakthrough
God’s Character Does Not Change
God’s character is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
How Many Times Does God Change His Mind in the Bible?
Although it may seem as if God changes His mind on occasions, God never changes His mind.
However, this doesn’t mean He never gets frustrated. Those stiff-necked children of Israel did a lot of things to cause Him to become frustrated.
When you study the Scriptures, you’ll see they got on His last nerve frequently. At one point God threatened to kill the Hebrews right after they worshipped the golden calf after God told them they should have no other Gods.
Moses bargained with God to save his people, but is that the case? According to Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary, “But the manner in which God spoke to Moses served two important purposes—it tended to develop the faith and intercessory patriotism of the Hebrew leader, and to excite the serious alarm of the people, that God would reject them and deprive them of the privileges they had fondly fancied were so secure.”
Also, if God ever changes His mind, it would indicate He doesn’t know something. If He doesn’t know something, He wouldn’t be all-knowing.
I can think of several things I’ve done to frustrate Him, and I’m so grateful for His unchanging forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
Why Pray If God Does Not Change?
The bible says God knows what we need before we even ask Him. And, the bible also says, ask and you shall receive.
We ask because God wants us to permit Him to move on our behalf. When we pray, we permit Him to do whatever it is we are petitioning Him for.
First, Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to pray without ceasing. That means we should pray about everything.
I believe God desires to be such a part of our lives, that He longs for us to include Him in everything we do and choices we make. No matter how big or small. Plus God decided to work His will on earth through our prayers.
Final Thoughts
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m so grateful that God doesn’t change. It comforts me and I hope it comforts you, too, to know that we can count on Him. We can trust Him and His never-changing Word.
So, do me a favor… next time while you’re browsing through the Scriptures, look for promises that coincide with your current struggles. Instead of looking at your problem, focus on our Father’s faithfulness and how God doesn’t change, and either does His promises. Give God some time and come back and let us know what happens.
My promise, you’ll be so glad you did.
God does not change.
Our moods may shift, but God’s doesn’t. Our minds may change, but God’s doesn’t. Our devotion may falter, but God’s never does. Even if we are faithless, He is faithful, for He cannot betray himself. He is a sure God. – Max Lucado
Prayer
God, our Heavenly Unchanging Father, thank you so much for being such a caring and loving Father. Thank you for your faithfulness and for your grace and mercy toward us. It’s so wonderful to know you’ve provided answers to our prayers. All we have to do is pray out your word because your word is Your promise, and all your promises are Yes in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
