Unchanging God 永不改变的上帝
Dexu Xia
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. James 1:12 nlt
An iconic photo shows the tread of a boot against a gray background. It’s astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s footprint, which he left on the moon in 1969. Scientists say that footprint is likely still there, unchanged after all these years. Without wind or water, nothing on the moon gets eroded, so what happens on the lunar landscape stays there.
It’s even more awesome to reflect on the constant presence of God Himself. James writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). The apostle puts this in the context of our own struggles: “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (v. 2 nlt). Why? Because we’re loved by a great and unchanging God!
In times of trouble, we need to remember God’s constant provision. Perhaps we might recall the words of the great hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”: “There is no shadow of turning with thee; / thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; / as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.” Yes, our God has left His permanent footprint on our world. He will always be there for us. Great is His faithfulness.
By: Kenneth Petersen
What kind of troubles are you facing today? How does understanding God’s unchanging presence help you in your struggles?
Dear God, I’m discouraged because of these hardships of late. I worry about how things will turn out. Yet I know You’re there and will provide. Help me to rest in that assurance.
忍受试探的人是有福的。—雅各书1章12节
在一帧著名的照片上，一片灰色的背景，地面上有一个清晰可见的鞋印。这是太空人巴兹·艾德林（Buzz Aldrin）于1969年留在月球表面的鞋印。科学家说，即使经过了许多年，这个鞋印可能还在原地，继续保持原样，一点都没变。因为在月球上没有风也没有水，不会造成任何侵蚀，因此，人们在月球表面留下的足迹会一直存留。
若我们深思上帝永恒的存在，更会令你我惊叹连连。雅各写道：“各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的；在祂并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿”（雅各书1章17节）。雅各藉此劝勉那些面对困境的众信徒：“你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐”（2节）。原因是什么呢？因为那伟大且永不改变的上帝深爱着我们。
在遭遇困境时，我们应当谨记上帝恒久的供应。也许，我们可以仔细想想《祢的信实广大》这首诗歌优美的歌词：“祢的信实广大，我神我天父，在祢永远没有转动影儿；永不改变，父神每天施怜悯，无始无终上主，施恩不尽。”是的，这位上帝已经在这世界上留下祂永恒的足迹。祂将永远在你我身旁，祂的信实广大。
作者： 毕恺腾
你今天遇到什么样的难处？
明白上帝永恒且不变，如何帮助你面对困境？
上帝，我因最近遭遇的难处而感到灰心，
而且忧心忡忡。求祢帮助我，让我坚定信靠祢，
因我知道祢一直与我同在，而且会看顾供应我