Fallen leaves litter lawns. Trees stand bare. A northwest wind assails pedestrians causing them to turn up their collars against the bite. A chill of grumbling about the long months ahead frosts conversation around the water coolers. People talk wistfully of last summer’s fun and of retiring early so they can move to a country that has summer all year long. A place where the leaves never fall.

We forget that no place on earth is safe from change. Most of the countries with summer-like climates have tsunamis and typhoons and volcanoes and coups and runaway inflation and malaria. Better to look elsewhere for something changeless.

Where shall we look? Malachi reminded Israel that the promise of their escape from total destruction was rooted in the covenant promises God made to Jacob. “I, the Lord, do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob are not destroyed.”[1]

The storms of winter that break around us need have no impact on our soul health. Like Jacob, those who have been born again by faith in the gospel seed discover that their soul-stability rests in God’s unchanging word. “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” In this passage, Peter contrasts the frailty of mankind in general with the passing glory of grass and flowers. “‘All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you.”[2]

The leaves fall. The weather changes. But in our hearts we can rest in God and his unchanging word. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; its stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations.”[3] God’s faithfulness guarantees his ongoing commitment to keep his promises and his power enables him to actually fulfill them. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him . . . through these he has given us his very great and precious promises.”[4]

Consider a few of God’s amazing promises.

Foundational to all his promises—eternal salvation through Christ. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.”[5] “And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.”[6]

A home in heaven. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”[7]

The forgiveness of our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”[8]

God’s presence. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”[9] “I [Jesus] will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”[10]

The provision of our needs. “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”[11]

Answered prayer. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”[12]

Guidance. “The Lord is my shepherd . . . He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”[13]

Flowers may fade. Our bodies may weaken. But our soul can sing and dance in the light cast into the gathering gloom by his promises.

Heavenly Father lift my heart high above the weather to soar on the wings of faith. Keep me from succumbing to the prevailing gloom by warming my spirit through the glow cast by your promises. Lead me to that special promise, the one I need at this very time.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

[Watch for a reprint of this book of reflections on nature down our country road.]

[1] Malachi 3:6 [2] 1 Peter 1:24,25 [3] Psalm 119:89,90 [4] 2 Peter 1:3,4 [5] Acts 16:31 [6] 1 John 2:25

[7] John 14:2 [8] 1 John 1:9 [9] Is 43:2 [10] Matt. 28:20 [11] Phil. 4:19 [12] 1 John 5:14,15 [13] Ps 23:1,3