Hebrews 13:5-8 (CEB)

Your way of life should be free from the love of money, and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon youThis is why we can confidently say,

The Lord is my helper,
    and I won’t be afraid.
What can people do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!


Reflection

I’ve never heard the phrase, “it’s always the same with you” used in a positive way. It’s typically meant to disparage someone by saying, “you’ll never change; you’ll always be no good.”

But here in Hebrews, we find the same phrase used to say something good about someone good: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This is an important affirmation of faith. Jesus never changes. The world changes, our circumstances and relationships are in flux, the economy is up and down, some days we feel great and other days not so much, but through it all Jesus remains the same.

The author shares with us why this matters: it matters because we need to know that God’s character doesn’t change, that God’s promises don’t change, and that God’s love for us won’t ever change. This is the firm foundation on which we can build a life. So the writer quotes Deuteronomy 31:6 (“I will never leave you…”) and Psalm 118:6 (“The Lord is my helper…”), invoking God’s care, protection and constancy. God will never leave us. God will always be at our side, to help, guide and support us – no matter what.

When we understand these things – when we understand that our God is constant: yesterday, today, and ALWAYS – we can trust that we are never alone.

By Joe Monahan


For Pondering & Prayer

Prayer: God, your love endures from generation to generation. You walk with us as you walked with our mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. Though we change, you never change. And though we wander and lose faith in you, you promise never to stop loving us. Help us to trust and rely on this truth today. Amen.