Our Anchor of Hope in Times of Change
by Angela Jelf, writer, poet, mum of 2
If there’s one thing we can all be certain about, it’s that nothing stays the same forever.
Change and Transition
The summer holidays offer us a wonderful, but brief period of rest. But they also usher in a season of shift and change, of transition, of flux - of fond farewells and new beginnings, especially for our children. Changing classes, changing schools. Leaving nursery. Leaving primary school. Maybe even leaving school forever.
Of course, change is not limited to the summer. Change can happen any time of year. Sometimes, without warning, our circumstances can shift almost overnight. Some of us might be facing a change of jobs, of location – some of us might even be facing an illness, a bereavement, or a difficult change in our relationships.
Transition can be tricky and change can be a challenge.
Uncertain Times
On a wider scale, turning on the news can be extremely unsettling too! We are living in extremely tumultuous times. Confusion. Division. Chaos. Disaster. It can leave us feeling pretty vulnerable.
But take heart! I have very good news for you today.
Key Verse
I love the verse in Psalm 46:2 which says:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth do change. And thought the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas.”
Even when the world around us is shaking - even if the very mountains themselves were to crumble into the heart of the sea, we needn’t fear!
Why? Because there is a solid rock that we can stand on.
He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress. I will never be shaken – Psalm 62:2
God Never Changes!
Isn’t it wonderful to know that there is a King, who sits enthroned in the Heavens, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. His name is JESUS!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever – Hebrews 13:8.
One of God’s attributes is His immutability. In layman’s terms, that means that He doesn’t change.
God is not a man that He should lie, or a son of man that He should change His mind. He has said and will He not do it? He has spoken and will He not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19)
God is the rock of ages.
He is the only unchanging One. He is the only One who remains one hundred percent faithful one hundred percent of the time. He is faithful to His word. He is faithful to His promises. He is the Ancient of Days. Ancient – as in eternal. He doesn’t grow old or cranky. Or forgetful.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations – Psalm 33:11
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 – Numbers 23:19
His love is enduring. His steadfastness is constant. He is faithful – oh so faithful.
God is Steadfast
The world might seem scary. You might feel like you’re walking through a storm. But nothing takes God by surprise. Nothing catches Him off-guard. When we face times of change and shift, or even trial and trouble, it’s great to be able to remind ourselves - and our kids - that God is still on the throne. And He is not detached from us. He is not absent in our troubles. Quite the opposite in fact.
God is Very Present
Let’s go back to Psalm 42 again: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
This verse always makes me smile. You could be forgiven for thinking that a person could either be present, or not present.
But God is VERY present.
The Psalmist seems to be deliberately underlining this. God is not just present. He’s very present. Isn’t that wonderful?
He doesn’t just watch from the sidelines. He’s not an absent bystander, watching our lives play out from the distance. He’s involved! He’s right there with us on our first day of school. When we’re in the hospital. When we’re in the job interview. When we’re in the middle of the storm. He’s there in the boat. He’s there in the fire. There in the flood.
So today, if you’re facing change, if you’re looking at the world and feeling shaken, take courage and draw strength from our God who is a refuge and strength – a strong tower that we can run to.
Then let’s encourage our kids that they have a faithful God, who is a very present help in times of trouble. Who loves them with an everlasting love. What a wonderful truth.
