Podcast (daily-devotion): Download (4.8MB)

Psalm 102:18-28
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.” 

This psalm was written by a person going through an extremely challenging time. The beginning of the psalm gives this description: “The prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the LORD.” He felt “like a bird alone on a roof.” After pouring out his heart in the first eleven verses, in verses 12-17 the focus is turned to God who is “enthroned forever.” Now the prayer is concluded by spotlighting two attributes of God.

God is immutable. The world, and our world, is in constant change. For us change can range from desired to devastating, but God never changes. As He was in the beginning, so He is today. He remains the same.

God is eternal. There was never a time when God was not. There will never be a time when God is not. We “wear out like a garment.” But God’s time will never end.

When our world is rocked, God is the solid rock that never moves, changes or goes away. That gives us confidence. Our trust is in the One whose promises are true, whose power is unlimited, and whose love never ends. So, hold tight to the immutable, eternal God. He will hold onto you forever.

Father, You never change! You are eternal! Help me keep my focus on You and not on what is around me. I thank You for the promises that I can cling to today. And I thank You that my children can cling to those same promises. Help me live in a way that encourages future generations to praise You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.