“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
Numbers 23:19
The Advent angel promised joy and peace because of God’s favor. That favor is an ongoing aspect of His relationship with us. God is not flighty in His relationships, changing with the wind. No new opportunity diverts His attention elsewhere. No news about us can scare Him off. When He establishes a relationship, it is forever.
When my wife and I had our first argument, I worried the relationship was in trouble. I had to learn that love works through differences. If we have been hurt by people, we become wary. We may expect relationships to fail when feelings or commitments change. But God never changes, so His feelings for us won’t either.
Jesus knows every one of our sins—past, present and future—yet willingly paid for them on the cross. God sent the Holy Spirit, not to convict or encourage us and then leave, but to live in us (1 John 4:13). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all committed to God’s relationship with us. His favor is because of His love, and because His favor rests on us, we rest in Him.
When my wife and I had our first argument, I worried the relationship was in trouble. I had to learn that love works through differences. If we have been hurt by people, we become wary. We may expect relationships to fail when feelings or commitments change. But God never changes, so His feelings for us won’t either.
Jesus knows every one of our sins—past, present and future—yet willingly paid for them on the cross. God sent the Holy Spirit, not to convict or encourage us and then leave, but to live in us (1 John 4:13). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all committed to God’s relationship with us. His favor is because of His love, and because His favor rests on us, we rest in Him.
Scripture Focus
Luke 2:8-14
Insight
“For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.” (1 Samuel 12:22)
Bible In A Year
- Zechariah 5-9
- Proverbs 29
- Revelation 15-17
