Throughout the Old Testament we discover this truth: that God is consistent and dependable. He doesn't change His mind or go back on His word; He doesn't have second thoughts about His promises, the way humans sometimes do. (Numbers 23: 19)
This idea is echoed in 2 Tim 2: 13, where Paul writes that, even if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful, for "He cannot deny Himself."
This understanding of an unchanging God continues throughout the New Testament. Older Bible translations often use the word immutable, while more modern translations talk about "the unchanging nature" of His purpose and His promise. (Heb 6: 17 - 18)
James emphasises that it's not just His promises and purposes that are unchanging; God Himself is unchanging in His nature and character. Every good gift comes from Him and, "He does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1: 17)
Hebrews 13: 8 sums it up well by saying that Jesus Christ is, "yesterday, today and forever the same." The Greek word is autos: He remains Himself, He doesn't change who He is.
Does this mean that God becomes old-fashioned and out of date? No! Because He is eternal (outside of our time restraints), He doesn't need to learn new things or move with the times, because He was already omniscient, knowing everything from the beginning.
So, His unchanging nature and character don't make our faith irrelevant today; rather they give us security and consistent certainty to live by.
