The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 15:29,
"He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind."
This statement Samuel made to King Saul points to the unchanging nature of God. God does not change and he does not change his mind.
This is an obscure idea to a culture such as ours. Reflecting our own sinful nature, our culture shifts and changes all the time. When I was growing up, homosexuals were considered perverts that children needed to be protected from. Today, it is seen as an honorable thing to hand foster children over to them, or allow them to adopt children. When I was growing up, murdering an unborn child was acknowledged for what it was. Today, we take pride in allowing women to do such a thing.
Our current president has "evolved" on the issue of same sex marriage. Unlike our president, God does not "evolve" on anything. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. What we learn of God never changes and is always true on any day.
"He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind."
This statement Samuel made to King Saul points to the unchanging nature of God. God does not change and he does not change his mind.
This is an obscure idea to a culture such as ours. Reflecting our own sinful nature, our culture shifts and changes all the time. When I was growing up, homosexuals were considered perverts that children needed to be protected from. Today, it is seen as an honorable thing to hand foster children over to them, or allow them to adopt children. When I was growing up, murdering an unborn child was acknowledged for what it was. Today, we take pride in allowing women to do such a thing.
Our current president has "evolved" on the issue of same sex marriage. Unlike our president, God does not "evolve" on anything. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. What we learn of God never changes and is always true on any day.
I can't image what our existence would be like if God changed all the time! What would it be like to wake up some morning to hear God say, "I've had second thoughts on this atonement my Son wrought. In thinking it over, you all will have to pay for your own sins!" I thank God he never changes!
That said, another verse from this chapter is quite a surprise to the theology of many. God can regret some of the things he does. Shocking, isn't it? "I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." 1 Samuel 15:11. The regret God expressed was that he chose Saul to be Israel's first king and it was Saul's performance that brought this regret. Did God not know Saul would be a disappointment? Certainly. "... I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" Isaiah 46:9b-10.
God's regret is not that he makes a poor choice from not knowing what will happen. His regrets flow from the bad choices sinful mankind makes. Another example of this was God's regret at creating mankind at all, just before he destroyed the world in Noah's day, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth,and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." Genesis 6:5-6.
That said, another verse from this chapter is quite a surprise to the theology of many. God can regret some of the things he does. Shocking, isn't it? "I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." 1 Samuel 15:11. The regret God expressed was that he chose Saul to be Israel's first king and it was Saul's performance that brought this regret. Did God not know Saul would be a disappointment? Certainly. "... I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" Isaiah 46:9b-10.
God's regret is not that he makes a poor choice from not knowing what will happen. His regrets flow from the bad choices sinful mankind makes. Another example of this was God's regret at creating mankind at all, just before he destroyed the world in Noah's day, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth,and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." Genesis 6:5-6.
Fascinating that our unchanging God has regrets!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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