“For I, the Lord, do not change.” (Malachi 3:6a NASB)
In the mid 1980’s, just around the time nurses hats disappeared in medical facilities, a father and an uncle both brought what was thought to be a perfect gift for their daughter and niece who was graduating from nursing school. The father added a purple, amethyst colored stethoscope to his graduation gift bag. Both the father and the uncle thought they had purchased the perfect gifts. Little did they know that the nursing hats were pretty much used only for ceremonial purposes or perhaps they could be embossed with a date as a remembrance; a valued keepsake much like a baby’s first pair of shoes or brass handprints. The nursing hats had been around since the later 1800’s and I guess the older relatives, no not that old, still thought they were still being worn at hospitals, the school nurse’s office, or in the corridors of military camps where the wounded were treated. Times change don’t they? Nowadays, nurses are distinguished by their scrubs and jackets. No longer do they dress in white, wear thick-soled shoes, and that precious hat. Perhaps you will see them at a Nursing School graduations in present times; perhaps. Things change!
As far as the hallowed stethoscope, and I say hallowed because you are somebody when you walk around a medical facility with a stethoscope around your neck or with this distinguished instrument poking out of your lab coat pocket, clearly in the sight of any onlooker. While they are still being used today, a report by the Associated Press stated, “New devices may take its place; digital versions that can pair with smart phones and handheld ultrasound scanners that can show the heart in action, leaky valves and all.” I guess the father and uncle’s stethoscopes will be placed on a memorial mantle soon, if they have not been already. Things change! It seems like everything changes! Wait a minute! Hold up! There is an exception! God never changes!
God is still love. He is still merciful, still making ways out of no way, and still magnificent in a glory that we have yet to behold. He is still sovereign, still our strength, and still ordering our steps. Oh if only we would step in that right direction more. Yes God is still the same. You know how we do it! “God is good all the time!” “And all the time God is good!” He is our exception to change! He planned to save you! He has a purpose for you! His providential care is still prevailing! He’s still the same! He has no faults, no failure, and He never flinches from His Divine nature.
Now look! It’s Sunday morning and you are still expected to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth! And when the benediction is over, you are still to live a righteous life and be ready to handle anything in your way because our unchanging God is on your side.
The nurses’ hats, they were once used to distinguish ones accomplishments and nobility. God does not need a hat to attest to His nobility and He is still accomplishing great things in the lives of His people. He probably did something great for you today already. And speaking of nobility, who can compete with God’s graciousness? Let the stethoscope go out of use. God does not need one! He is still all knowing, all powerful, always present, and perfectly accurate in knowing your heart. He is a specialist in every area and yes, as the songwriter said, “God specializes!” God is still sticking with His plan of salvation; the plan that is described by this verse: “God so loved the world that He gave Hs only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” God still deserves and always will deserve our gratitude for sending us Jesus the Christ, our Savior. Get your mind ready for worship because our God who never changes has a message for you from His word, speaking of things that don’t change; His word shall last forever. He has not change His mind about you assembling with the saints. Be blessed!
“All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” (I Timothy 1:17 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King