Have you ever noticed that nothing ever stays the same?
Recently I was reminded of that here in Tulsa when Mrs. Oretha Hagin, wife of Kenneth E. Hagin, and mother of my pastor, Kenneth W. Hagin, went home to be with the Lord on June 28.
She was 89 years old, and lived a long, wonderful life – she was an example of faithfulness and love to us all, and now she is in heaven with Jesus and Brother Hagin, reaping her reward. What a wonderful promise we have, and aren’t you glad we get to spend eternity together?!
But to those of us who knew Mom Hagin and were raised up under Brother Hagin’s ministry, we will miss her, and her passing signals the end of an era. The baton has officially been passed to the next generation.
The end of an era somehow makes us feel sad…like something irretrievable is gone. But this whole thing with Miss Oretha got me thinking about God. You know what? This is not the first time in His experience that an era has ended! He’s seen it before – numerous times! And He still has a plan. He’s not worried or wondering how it will all turn out.
Think about how CONSTANT our God is! Everything else in our life will change -- everything. We’ll get older. Buildings will be torn down and new ones built. Where there are fields now, there will be malls later. Car models and fashion styles and advertising gimmicks and societal standards will all change. Even people will come and go from our lives….they’ll die, move away, or just stop being as close to us…but GOD will never change.
What else can you say that about? God is always the same. In Malachi 3:6 He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Then in Hebrews 13:8 He said He’s the same “yesterday, today and forever.”
He’s always saving, always healing, always helping, always undergirding, always forgiving, always seated in heavenly places, exerting His power.
God has never lost a battle. When you stick with Him, you will always come out on top! (Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 2:14). FOREVER He has been. He was, and is, and is to come (Rev. 4:8).
He’s always victorious, always loving, always a just judge, always the embodiment of peace and joy and what is right…always THERE. When you consider all those things, no wonder you can stand and say, “If God be for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31). What could we possibly have to worry about?
You and I are standing on a SOLID ROCK that cannot be moved, every day of our lives (1 Corinthians 10:4). He is a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16, 2 Timothy 2:19) – something unchanging that you can build your life on!
Psalm 46:1,2 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Doesn’t that fill your heart with faith?!
Think about that the next time you feel uneasy, sad, or frightened over the way things are changing. Even if the very earth under your feet, moves or the majestic mountains are shaken or washed away, your God is the always same, and He is putting you over!
