HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?
Has the LORD GOD changed His expectations for us?  The LORD empathically confirmed His expectations for us in Malachi 3:6 (NKJV), “For I am the LORD, I do not change…”  God’s word in Hebrews 13:8 said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  God’s word declares in Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  There is an account in the Old Testament Book of Judges Chapter 13-16, about a man named Samson.  The LORD had very high expectations for Samson’s life; however, by the time we get to chapter 16 we find that Samson’s life had dangerously, deviated from the LORD’s plan.   He was a judge over Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.  But, by the end of his life, Samson                                had strayed away from the LORD and had become ensnared in a web of deceit cultivated by his enemies, Delilah and the Philistines.  It was so much so that Samson did not realize that the power of the LORD that had controlled His life and made him victorious was gone (Judges 16:20-21).  We see the mercy of God in Judges 16:28 when Samson prayed and the LORD vindicated him.  Does any of Samson’s life remind you of God’s Church today?

Is the LORD still looking for a Church without spot or wrinkle today?  In Ephesians 5:26-26 God’s word reveals to us what He is looking for in His Church, “That He (God) might sanctify and cleanse her (His Church) with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she (the Church) should be holy (set apart) and without blemish.  Is the LORD expecting us to obey His word today?  God’s word in James 1:22 said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOURSELVES.”  God, in His infinite wisdom, knew at some point in our lives we would miss the mark.  That’s why He gave us 1 John 1:9, so that we would REPENT, PRAY and BE FORGIVEN.  Does God consider His word relevant to us today?  I believe that Almighty God has a lot to say about the relevancy of His word today, as confirmed in Psalm 119:89-90, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.”  In Isaiah 40:8 God’s word said it this way, “The grass withers, the flower fades, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.”

There is another example in the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis Chapter 6-9 that confirms the fact that God does not change His expectations for His people.  Similar to today, yet different, this was also a time when the whole world shut down because it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  The people of that day who had a steadfast focus on God, listened to Him and climbed into God’s Ark of protection.  Those who were concerned about the daily mundane routine, apparently didn’t have time for the LORD.  They just waited for the rain to stop—probably to get back to their normal.  During the flood there was only one way the people were going to survive.  They had to listen to God’s word (as delivered by Noah, “Preacher of Righteousness,” 2Peter 2:5) and they had to obey God’s word.  That was the only means of survival for them.  Is that our only way of surviving this coronavirus pandemic?  God’s word declared to us, “I am the LORD and I do not change...”  SO TODAY, WHO DO YOU THINK WILL HAVE TO CHANGE?  IT’S NOT GOD!  But, God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!