I, the Lord, do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors, you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:6)
There have been many changes in the golf world over the years. Clubs are lighter and stronger. Driver heads are larger and more forgiving. Balls roll better and provide greater distance. Want proof? In 1975, PGA Tour drives averaged 257 yards; in 2024, it was 301 yards.
Back in the day, pros often used local caddies from the venue they were playing. Some players used a swing coach, but that was it. Now think of the support team around a PGA Tour player today. He has a regular caddie and swing coach traveling with him to every tournament. Depending on the player, he may also have a putting coach, a mental coach, and a personal trainer.
Golf pros in the 50’s and 60’s were clean-shaven with short hair and wore plain white shirts. Many of those guys smoked cigarettes during their round, and the thought of a gym workout wasn’t on their radar screen. Today, you’ll see pros in great shape, with many sporting long hair, beards, and colorful shirts adorned with various sponsor names.
I’m just scratching the surface, but you get the picture; things have changed. There’s an old saying that there can’t be progress without change. We certainly see that not only in golf, but also with the dramatic improvements in medicine and technology over the past several decades.
As noted in today’s Scripture verse, the Bible says that God never changes. Considering the above statements about change bringing progress and improvements, do we have an issue with a God who is unchanging? Is that a negative or a positive?
The idea that God does not change is a concept known as immutability. This means God’s character, will, and essence remain constant throughout time and are not subject to alteration or improvement.
I don’t know about you, but I find that to be a source of great comfort. No change is possible in God because God is absolute perfection. 20th-century English theologian A.W. Pink said it this way: “God cannot change for the better, for He is perfect; and being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.”
With our culture rapidly changing and promoting new understanding of what is acceptable or correct, I find reassurance in knowing that “the Father of the heavenly lights…does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we will change and become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), but God remains a firm, unchanging foundation. Ideas may change, customs may change, but as the Psalmist writes: “But you [God] remain the same, and your years will never end” (Psalm 102:27).
Knowing that He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) reminds us that God has always been reliable in the past, He is present with us today, and we can put our absolute trust in Him going forward throughout eternity. Praise the Lord!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we give thanks knowing that you are constant and unchanging in your love, mercy, and faithfulness to us. Amen.