OUR CHANGELESS GOD

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Hi all,

Our Love is Here to Stay It's very clear Our love is here to stay ; Not for a year But ever and a day. The radio and the telephone And the movies that we know May just be passing fancies, And in time may go ! But, oh my dear, Our love is here to stay. Together we're Going a long, long way In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibralter may tumble, They're only made of clay, But our love is here to stay.  George & Ira Gershwin

In 1890 Albert B. Simpson wrote: “Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! Lord Jesus; Glory to  His Name! All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name! Music by James H. Burke

For me, 1955 was a “water-shed” year. I was at school in Sasolburg. Dad’s company suddenly called him back to England for a six month refresher course. So I had a six month holiday in England. I was 13, and overnight became acutely aware of girls. At the time, Taaibos Power Station was being constructed. Taaibos was rather isolated. It was ±15 km from Sasolburg.  In those days, Sasolburg was little more than a small housing estate. The nearest town was Vereeniging, some 30km away. Taaibos village boasted a recreation hall for bioscope shows, dances and a variety of social and sports clubs.

I distinctly remember going to the recreation club to see the movie, “An American in Paris” staring Gene Kelly and Lesley Caron. For me it was the first “Love story” I’d seen. It featured one of my all time favourite songs, “Our love is here to stay”. The haunting words and melody are with me some 57 years later.

I had no idea that the title would dwell in my heart for so long. The fact is, 5 years later I met the only one of whom it is correct to say, “Our love is here to stay”. I met my Lord and Saviour in Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church Hall in England and discovered someone about whom the words of this song truly apply.

At age 13, some things do not cross your radar screen. All of life was in front of me so death was little more than a column in the newspaper. Perhaps this is why the song is so significant? Those who know me know that I love singing. I’m no Mario Lanza, so my voice is unlikely to be anyone’s favourite. But I know the Lord loves it; particularly when I sing about Him and His love.

In 1961 I first came across another song which I love. The theme is similar. I learned it and sang it with the people who were attending the Cliff College Easter Convention. Already I knew something about change. There are enormous changes between 13 and 18. But as far as I was concerned, the years ahead were beckoning with eager anticipation.

Many other things have changed since then. “Age and decay in all around I see”. There are things I could do then that I no longer attempt. In spite of all these changes, a couple of things remain true. “All may change but Jesus never”. And “Our love is here to stay”. Thank you Lord!

Today’s meditation looks at some aspects of our changeless God.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Our Changeless God

We don’t know what it can be like for things to never change.

Even now, just thinking of it, seems so very strange!

Will the next word in a sentence; fill our listening ears?

Surely it can never happen. What about our tears?

Can they flow over our faces? Surely they will freeze?

Any movement that we think of, like an engine seized.

Every photograph we look at, constantly the same.

Every particle of motion, captured in its frame.

Relatives we knew so closely, some have passed away;

But each time we see their pictures – was that yesterday?

Is there aught that we can think of, in our time and space,

That will carry on forever? Change will not take place?

Mountain ranges all will crumble. They cannot endure!

Time will do its work upon them. This we know for sure.

But there must be somewhere stable; fixed and ever firm.

Something like a tiny virus or some tiny germ?

Nothing in this vast creation will go on and on.

Though we think its everlasting; soon it will be gone.

God alone is never changing; Thank Him it is so.

He alone is everlasting; doesn’t ebb and flow.

Yesterday, today, forever; starting point and end.

Isn’t subject to the seasons; doesn’t flex or bend.

Every word that He has spoken surely has come true.

He’s the fullness of perfection; needs not me nor you.

Priest and King Who reigns forever. He will always be,

Author of our great Salvation, loving steadfastly.

Merciful in great abundance; constantly the same.

Not the slightest variation in His Holy Name!

Infinite in every aspect, Length and breadth and height,

Reaching out in all directions; Lord of endless light.

How can we extol Thy virtues; Words are far too small,

To declare to men and angels, Him who’s all in all.

Even with our limitations, we all long to see;

Him who has no start or finish, ruling endlessly.

Lord forgive us for attempting to expound Your Grace.

For us it would be sufficient, just to glimpse Thy face!

Righteousness and love abounding. Lord to Thee we bow.

Knowing that we will be with You in Your timeless now!

Jim Strickland – Written 29 February 2012