We Change, God Does Not

Psalm 40:3a (NRSVue) - He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Psalm 40 encompasses two themes.

It is a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance.

It is also a prayer for help. 

Yet both share a common root.

God delivers and is a source of help because He is eternal and unchanging.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds his readers that they are to change.

Paul discusses the old life and the new life.

Paul reminds them, and us, we need renewal.

Ephesians 4:23 (NRSVue) - and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds

But this renewal is only possible because God is eternal and unchanging.

We must be the ones to change.

We must give up our old lives and claim our new ones.

This is only possible because it is God who does the renewing within us.

God has always loved humanity even when humanity has failed to love Him in return.

God planned for humanity’s salvation even when our faith in Him faltered.

Through the eternal and unchanging God, we can surrender our old lives and claim our new ones.

And, as God renews our faith, we can offer our heartfelt thanksgiving for deliverance. 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 24, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, June 7, 2024

True Peace of Mind

Isaiah 54:4a (NRSVue) - Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace,

Some translations refer to Isaiah 54 as “The Lord Loves Israel,”

This translation refers to it as “The Eternal Covenant of Peace.”

Frankly, I will not argue with either,

The prophet begins this verse with “Do not fear.”

Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are not to fear.

Small wonder as we seem to need reminding throughout our lives.

Scripture also reminds us of this after the Resurrection,

When the women went to the tomb of Jesus, they found an angel instead.

This filled them with fear.

But the angel reassured them.

Matthew 28:5-6 (NRSVue) - But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

In our modern world, it is all too easy for us to give in to fear.

Inflation is on the rise,

The cost of necessities increases accordingly.

The nation, indeed, the world is divided politically and ideologically.

There is unrest on college campuses.

The list goes on.

Yet God is there to remind us that we do not have to fear.

He reminds us in His Word.

And, when we focus on our relationship with Him, we can feel his reassuring presence.

We can then put fear out of our hearts and minds.

Then, filled with peace, we can serve both God and others.

We can help bring true peace of mind to those who currently live in fear.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, May 10, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, May 17, 2024