Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:14)First Samuel 15:29 reads: [God] does not lie or change his mind. One of the classic attributes of God is his immutability - the idea that God does not change. Some have taken this so far as to mean that God never changes his mind, because that would prove he is imperfect. (Picture me with a perplexed look on my face.)
That kind of thinking doesn't bode well for the Israelites. After the golden calf fiasco, it sounds like God was ready to wipe his chosen people off the face of the earth. Then Moses interceded for them and God relented. Isn't relented another way of saying changed his mind?
When the biblical writers state that God doesn't change his mind, they are referring to his character. His character is constant. Who God was yesterday is who God will be tomorrow. We don't have to worry about him forgiving us today and taking it back a week from now, because that would be inconsistent with his character.
The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness . . . forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6,7).
Would you rather have a God who cannot change his mind... ever, or a God who responds to the prayers of his children whom he loves with an everlasting love?
I'll take the God who listens to His people and responds with a loving heart. He may not answer the way you think He should be God always has your best interest in mind. Thank-you God for loving me.
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