The same. But not same 'ol same 'ol.

BE CERTAIN OF THIS

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 3: 6, ESV

Covid-19 is an exponential contagion. Oddly, it fits these exponential times snugly, an exactness that is surprising. Like the times complexity and velocity mark this poisonous condition. Step back for a moment. You know in most respects this new world is intricately technological, beyond the understanding of most citizens, including me. It is also exceedingly fast, pacing life at higher rpms than ever before. Keeping up is a significant challenge, especially for us boomers. The point is, this coronavirus is an exponential infection that is causing us all to be more deliberate, perhaps a little slower in our movements. The cultural vibrations of Covid-19 are the pulses of constant change sweeping across our lifestyle board. Observing the vast reach of this thing, into every corner of our lives, has me singing the 1964 Bob Dylan hit---"The times, they are a-changin'". Are they ever!

Change is a life constant. By now we all know the dull ax "the only thing that doesn't change is change itself". This generation thrives on it, especially the younger generational cohorts. We're accustomed to life on the move, places to be, the ever-present to-do list, the demands of work, and the thrills of personal entertainment.

Now, in isolation mode we're as allergic to inactivity as we are the deadly virus. Some comics get a snicker about taking repetitive journeys from one room in the house to another, and trying to be occupied by the routines of household life. But change is still a constant. We're now having to alter our habits, adapt to new expressions of our personal freedoms, limit our contact with people outside the household, adopt new personal health regimens, schedule and plan grocery shopping, and so many other life adjustments. Covid-19 hasn't been an escape from change. It has accelerated our change quotient to new levels. The uncertainties of this pandemic keep our change mechanics activated and perhaps enlarged.

Some of us are wired for change, some are not. In either case stability and security are the calming force over the span of our three score and ten or four score years (see Psalm 90:10). When our physical, emotional, and spiritual reserves are spent we humans require immovable and steady guidance and reassurance. God and his eternal word are the only unchanging realities in our mobile, transitioning universe. Our well-meaning psychological systems falter and move with the moods of human nature. We're watching right now the wavering of many of our sources of security---the economy, societal structure, family dynamics, governments, personal comfort, and even the common good. In the shifts and turns of life only God and his word are eternal and unchanging. Many Scriptures affirm these truths. Make note of these three--

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Psalm 33: 11, ESV

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the

unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two

unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for

refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6: 17-18, ESV

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

Some doubters view the reliable, constant, unchanging nature of God as the same ol' same ol' of religion, the repetitive jargon of faith throughout history. The God of the Bible is certainly unchanging. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Apostle Paul, and John Wesley is the God who is vital to our lives right now. But, Isaiah wrote---

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43: 19, ESV

He is the same, unchanging God. But, he is always doing a new thing in our lives. It is a certainty in a universe of questions marks. God does not change. Read about him in the Bible Experience him today.

He's the same. But, not the same ol' same ol'.

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Yes he does. You too.

BE CERTAIN OF THIS

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3: 16, ESV

It wasn't the first Bible verse I ever memorized. Back in Beginners Sunday School our teachers told us to learn and quote one Bible verse. So, I learned John 11: 35, "Jesus wept", the shortest verse in most of the versions. Ha! Smart me, and all the other kids in our class. Soon after, they asked us to learn the above passage, John 3: 16. The research people at ranker.com have tabulated their findings and list this verse as the most popular and often quoted verse in the Bible. In my personal faith experience it is one of the most enduring certainties of this life. God so loved the world.

Sounds simple enough. Trouble is, these days, it's often the pro forma entree in our faith discussions, the expected answer when people are reflecting on the horrors of human behavior, even our own personal missteps. To say "God loves you and has a purpose for your life" was the much used and memorized intro in evangelism training back in the day. Today, even though it is one of the most profound certainties in the universe, it is often received with a shrug. Like, tell me something I don't already know. That God loves his creation is generally acknowledged. And, presumed.

Still, God's love is a complex truth for the mainstream. He does love his creation abundantly. Scripture identifies his provision and care for the human species, the animal kingdom, and his glorious universe. Also, there is certainly biblical evidence of his caring love for those called into personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul wrote about husbands loving their wives as "Christ loved the church", his elect (see Ephesians 5: 25). And, many others. Few of us would argue God's care for those who follow him in Christ.

Then, there's the word "world" in John 3: 16---"God so loved the world". Jerry Robinson, writing in The Gospel Coalition blog, March 13, 2017, provides an interesting translation of the Greek term kosmos, translated "world" (click here to read the article). The word can be translated several ways in the New Testament, one meaning the world or universe, another meaning existence apart from God. You know worldly things. Robinson notes that in John 3:16 Jesus was referring to badness more than bigness. He writes, "It’s primarily the moral order in willful and culpable rebellion against God". Meaning that God's redemptive love is for those who either reject him, or live self-contained lives apart from acknowledging or committing their lives to him.

That God loves me, a confessing Christian with stubborn, often selfish ways is an astounding miracle. That God loves everyone is even more so. These truths should govern my lifestyle, relationships, and response to the world around me. His love for the world should give me a heart for everyone. And, this simple truth should be a certainty that gives us all hope and courage in a world punctuated by question marks.

Covid-19 is a pandemic with many uncertainties. Remember his love as you experience them. He loves me. Yes, he does. And, you too.

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Everything? Not quite.

BE CERTAIN OF THIS

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

DEUTERONOMY 29: 29, ESV

We humans want to know everything. The experts over in the science department tell us that curiosity is a basic human trait. Of course, some of us are more so than others, but most of us want to know the backstory of things that mystify or puzzle us. Who hasn't observed a young child tearing apart the pieces of a favorite toy to discover what makes it function? And, of course, that child-like spirit of inquiry follows many of us through life. For others, it is a drive that compels education, careers, and the inventive genius behind our advanced world. When I crank up my devices I'm always in wonder of those brilliant minds whose curiosity and knowledge envisioned and designed and eventually manufactured our toys.

Our desire to know moves into every area of human experience. We want to know what makes things work, or not work, as the case may be. And, that's one of the mysteries about global events right now. Where did this Covid-19 pandemic originate? What kind of deadly virus is it? How did such a contagion spread in certain parts of our world so quickly? How can the symptoms be detected earlier? And, hundreds of other questions inquiring minds want to know. They are all complex and totally beyond my grasp. Harriet and I are doing what our many officials have suggested. We're staying home. Evidently that's the sure fire way to assure that we're not exposed to the deadly virus.

Then again, media has given us thousands of experts with gigabytes of data about the the coronavirus. One expert says this, another that. Talk about opinions, read some of the assessments of our governments response to this thing. Our leaders have over-responded, under-responded, acted too quickly or not quickly enough, taken too many precautions or too few, provided accurate information or fake news. The idea people in the editorial department warn us of abuses of the Constitution of the United States and others opine that our freedoms should be limited even more. People like me, and perhaps many of you, are mystified by all of he scientific language and competing data. We want to know with some degree of certainty how long this pandemic is going to last and what the ultimate results will be for our lives---medically, economically, and in the isolated home front.

The other day in study Deuteronomy 29:29 scrolled across my computer screen. Yes, I've studied it before and know it was spoken to Israel when Moses was challenging them regarding their covenant with God. I also know we are not Israel. Still, it is God's Word and the truth is an important one for us in every life consideration. The truth is that God chose not to show us everything. Even with our education and driving curiosity we cannot know everything. It's a central facet of our faith and trust in God. We believe him and trust his guidance in life. His guidance is certain and sure, even when he doesn't clear it with us.

There are some things, however, we can know with great certainty. And, that will be my topic this week. We can have certainty about many aspects of life, even in this universe of so many questions. Know everything, though? Not quite.

Join me this week for some certainty---and much hope.

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