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Saturday, June 27, 2015

Sure and Firm

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8).

"Jesus Christ: yesterday and today the same, and forever" (my translation).

This line by the unknown author of Hebrews should be considered among the greatest in the New Testament.  You are able to memorize it and use it as an anchor and rock in a world, and personal world, of change.  In the words of the late Malcolm Muggeridge:

"Let us then as Christians rejoice that we see around us on every hand the decay of the institutions and instruments of power, see intimations of empires falling to pieces, money in total disarray, dictators and parliamentarians alike nonplussed by the confusion and conflicts which encompass them.  For it is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting, when every possibility of help from earthly sources has been sought and is not forthcoming, when every recourse this world offers, moral as well as material, has been explored to no effect, when in the shivering cold the last faggot has been thrown on the fire and in the gathering darkness every glimmer of light has finally flickered out, it's then that Christ's hand reaches out sure and firm.  Then Christ's words bring their inexpressible comfort, then His light shines brightest, abolishing the darkness forever" (from The End of Christendom).

And in the words of the hymn: "Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me."