God’s Immutable Goodness and My Attitude

I want to share my time of reflection during this past Thanksgiving break, and with Christmas fast approaching, the big word that came to my mind as the holiday approached and the weather took a turn for the worst in our area was IMMUTIBILITY. The word simply means unchanging. It made me think of my God to whom this trait refers. God is unchanging. His nature is good and that means he is good all the time. His goodness is for me (Romans 8:28). His goodness supplies good things for me (James 1:17). Everyone was in the mood to spout off their list of things they were thankful for, which is a wonderful practice. However, I reflected that it doesn’t bear much if it is not attached to the giver of things that make us feel thankful.

God’s immutability or unchanging nature of good supplies the reason for a thankful heart.  My attitude is as fickle as the weather. I can be ready to spout off a list of things I am thankful for but easily forget who supplied those things. I can easily attribute thankfulness to my own efforts that supplied the things on my list.

Here are some immutable scriptures to reflect on (from ESV Bible):

Malachi 3:6

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

James 1:17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Psalm 102:25–27

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.”

Numbers 23:19

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 6:17

“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

Psalm 90:1–2

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Isaiah 40:27–28

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”

2 Timothy 2:13

“if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

Now it’s time to add some attitude scriptures for reflection(NIV Bible):

Romans 8:5-6

“Those who live according to the flesh have their mind set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. “

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will, his good pleasing and perfect will.”

Philippians 4:8-9

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”

2 Corinthians 2:9

“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, what no human mind has conceived’- the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

Galatians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Ephesians 2:10

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God himself, prepared in advance for us to do.”

My attitude can embrace that God in his immutable nature of good, has supplied all the goodness I choose to recognize. If I am filled with his Spirit, I can see his goodness. I can easily attribute the goodness in my own life to him. A good God gives goodness.

During this season of reflection and creating thankfulness lists, remember the giver of the attitude of thankfulness. An unchanging, good God has given good gifts that should turn my heart to him. My attitude can make all the difference.

I pray that you take time to reflect on the good giver of all that makes a heart thankful.

 Blessings,

Ellen