COMFORT IN TRUTH

What comfort there is during the Christmas season, which is loaded down with boxes full of high unrealistic expectations, to know that God is consistent in every way this and every season. You and I on the other hand, well if you haven’t noticed, our ways are inconsistent. “God's ways are everlasting.” That is the statement made by the prophet in Habakkuk chapter three and verse six. There are many reasons why this is a comforting truth. Let me list a few.

First, the Lord's ways are the result of wise thought. He has ordered all things according to the direction of His own will. Our actions are frequently the hasty result of passion, or fear, and are followed by regret and a change of heart. In contrast, nothing can take the Eternal One by surprise, or happen otherwise than He has not foreseen.

Second, His ways are the outgrowth of an unchallengeable character. These ways are fixed and settled attributes of God and can be clearly seen. Unless the Almighty Himself can undergo change, His ways, which are Himself in action, must remain for ever the same. Is He eternally just, gracious, faithful, wise, and tender? Then His ways must always be distinguished for the same qualities. We humans act according to our nature. When those natures change, their conduct varies also. Since God cannot know the shadow of turning (James 1:17), His ways will abide eternally the same.

Thirdly, there is no external force which could reverse His divine ways, since they are the incarnation of His irresistible power. The earth is said, by the prophet, to be cracked with rivers, mountains tremble, the sea lifts up its hands, and sun and moon stand still, when Jehovah marches forth through every generation for the salvation of His people. Who can halt or stop His hand, or say to Him, “You should rethink this?”

However, it is not just Yahweh’s power alone that provides all creation this stability. That brings me to the fourth reason. God's ways are the demonstration of His eternal principles of right, and therefore can never pass away. Wrong will always involve ruin and breed decay, but His eternal truth and goodness have about them a energy which no season can diminish. Therefore, this very season you can go to your heavenly Father with confidence, with real expectations (His everlasting ways), remembering the comfort doesn’t come with gifts under a tree but that Jesus Christ (The Reason for the Season) is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in Him the Lord is so very gracious to us, His children. Merry Christmas!

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