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DAY 2: Who God Is

I remember the first time I sensed God speaking to me. I was in my senior year at the University of Tennessee, and I had just gotten off the phone with someone, and I had lied. In general, I think most people agree lying isn’t okay, but I really, really value honesty. That’s why I couldn’t believe I had just done it. I hated lying—and in that moment, I hated myself.

I remember thinking, God, I don’t know why you put up with me. And, y’all, as bizarre as it sounds, the very next second, this sentence entered my mind: I don’t “put up” with you. I adore you. 

I was stunned, partially because I recognized that statement as the voice of God, and partially because I couldn’t believe God would respond so lovingly to my messing up.

But that’s not the only time God has responded to me like that. He’s shown me forgiveness, grace and love again and again and again. God has had the same response to me a million other times in my life because He’s unchanging. He’s the same today as He was yesterday, as He was 2,000 years ago, as He was when He created the earth, and as He will be tomorrow and until the end of time.

Everything you know about God—His goodness, His constant presence, His faithfulness, His knowledge, His power, His perfect timing, how personal He is—will stay the same. He will never stop being those things. Never. Not even once. Not even when you screw up badly. Not even when you ignore Him for years or decades. Not even when you do something unthinkable and you just plain hate yourself.

God doesn’t “put up” with you. He adores you. That will never change because He will never change. As we look to who we are, I want you to know that God is your firm, unshakable foundation. You can build your life securely on Him because He’s unchanging.

Reflect:

Has there been a time in your life when you felt like God left you or was mad at you? How does it feel to remember that God never changes? What difference does that make in how you see God and see yourself?

Spend some time in prayer today asking God to remind you that His love, grace and forgiveness are unending. Ask Him to help you find comfort and confidence in the fact that He’s unchanging.