An Unchangeable God | God’s immutability

Nothing on this earth remains the same. Seasons change, years change, everything, except God, changes. As Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

For I am the LORD, I change not (Malachi 3:6).

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).

Jesus is contrasted here with the sun; with Him there is not even a shadow of turning. His attributes and glory never diminish:

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear (Isaiah 59:1).

O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 107:1).

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations (Psalm 119:90).

God is glorious in His holiness; His deity cannot cease to be. God can never change from faithfulness to unfaithfulness, from omnipotence to impotence, from holiness to unholiness, from righteousness to unrighteousness. All things happen according to His unchangeable plans.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his council, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold unto the hope set before us (Hebrews 6:17-18).

God’s immutability is the same as His blessedness. No council can change God’s plan, God’s providence is like a clock. Psalm 33:11 says, “The council of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Proverbs 21:30 confirms, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”

The purposes of God are always executed. No angels or men have power to frustrate them:

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the council of the LORD, that shall stand (Proverbs 19:21).

These purposes are unchangeable:

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29).

They are irrevocable:

God is not a man that He should lie,
Nor a son of man that He should repent (Numbers 23:19 NKJV).

We are unstable, but God remains the same. What He promises, He will perform:

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

His word is also irrevocable:

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words (Isaiah 31:2).

But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end (Psalm 102:27).

Our prayers could never change God’s mind. They do change us, though, and cause us to do His will. Obedience rests on us as on the martyrs of old. God never changes His righteousness. Our God is omniscient, He is self-existent, He is everywhere, and He is omnipotent. He is also angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11).

God’s immutability suggests His claim on His people and it brings comfort to the human heart. It encourages us to pray to the Father of lights. Since He heard and answered prayers in the past, we can be sure that He will answer them today.

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that has mercy on thee (Isaiah 54:10).