Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE UNCHANGING GOD

In 1847, Henry F. Lyte penned these words of a most beloved hymn “Abide With Me”

that still appears in most church hymnals. One stanza reads:

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.”

About the only thing constant about earthly life is its ever-changing, forward pressing quality. From the cradle to the grave nothing about earthly life is really static. In fact, all bodily cells are locked into a life/death struggle.They succumb, and are replaced every seven years ...

until life itself is separated from the body. As a humorous aside to this fact, I like to tell folks that my wife has had eight husbands, and he has had eight wives in our 56 years of union.

Locally and nationally, things are in a state of constant change since the second law of thermodynamics continues undeterred. Still God’s people sing of an “Unclouded Day;” “Where We’l Never Grow Old,” etc., and look longingly for that glorified state, while possessing the earnest of it. 2 Cor. 1:22.

Indeed, the Bible forthrightly declares that though the outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16. God does not allow the saved spirit of man to change. It really is constant, fixed! How can that be? It is sealed by the great Creator God in His expression of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 4:30. But, some folks wonder how can this be true?

It is true because God never changes. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb. 13:8. “I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

Change, decay, trouble, pain, death are inextricably embedded in the present cosmos, but a new cosmos is coming for those who are ready for it. It has been won, bought, and will be implemented by Christ Jesus.

GOR THOUGHT: Do you have Jesus in your heart? Is your mind being renewed, Rom. 12:2, in readiness for His soon return? Do you ever live vicariously in an incorruptible body on a brand new earth? What do you know about your own future?

THE VALLEY OF DEATH. . . OR . . . IT’S SHADOW

Leaving the gaudy lights of the sin-laden city of Las Vegas, Nev. the bucket list of things to see in California began with nearby Death Valley. A very early start assured that awesome, below sea level, desert would be behind us before the unbearable heat of the day prevailed.

Early morning temps in the 90’s bathed the contents of the forbidden place in coolness before the thermometer climbed to near 120 degrees.

The valley is appropriately named. Here, the challenge of life for all plants and animals is truly formidable.Travelers who enter there flippantly and without caution may keenly regret it. I remarked to our family, “I hope you noticed that we are the only ones on this highway, and have been for many miles.” Still, the trip through the valley was most rewarding. The early morning sun brought out brilliant colors in the dry, nude hills. The formation of rocks, mountains, and sand dunes yielded to prepared travelers a sense of pleasant wonder, joy, and praise for its uniqueness in the handiwork of the Almighty. However, for the unprepared traveler, the valley held horrible misery and potential death in its harsh and unrelenting environment.

In its day to day testimony of nature’s speech and knowledge, it portrays another Valley of Death that is universal to natural man. The Hebrew letter in the New Testament forthrightly declares, “ And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:27-28.

Readers should make no mistake about it. There is a trip through the Valley of Death, or the shadow of that valley for everyone. But those who have received the cross work of Jesus in repentance from sin, and faith in His substitutionary sacrifice for them have no fear in their heart of that journey. In fact, this is one journey Jesus made Himself for all who trust in Him. So appropriately did the Psalmist declare: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I wil fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Friends, there is a huge difference between entering that valley prepared as opposed to being unprepared. The difference is life or death forever. Think about it! How will you make that trip which no man may decline?

FOR THOUGHT: Death is universal, uncertain as to time, but certain for everyone. So, what journey will you take? Will it be the valley of death or the shadow of the valley of death? Faith in Christ Jesus will determine the difference? Are you saved, thus safe, in Him? When did you first trust Him with all your heart? Can you recall that experience?