Let us read James 1:17.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
There is an old Chinese expression, “When the rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked.” It means that once a person has served his purpose, he may be cast aside.
This saying is traditionally associated with Han Xin (韓信), a renowned general during the early Han dynasty in China. Han Xin helped Liu Bang, who later became Emperor Gaozu of Han, defeat Xiang Yu and played a major role in the unification of the empire. But after the empire had been secured, Liu Bang came to regard Han Xin as a possible threat to his power. Han Xin was eventually stripped of his position and later executed after being accused of conspiracy. His fate came to be associated with the saying about the hunting dog being discarded once the hunt was over.
Throughout history, there have been many stories of people who once enjoyed the favor of a king but were suddenly cast aside when the king’s heart changed. One reason people fear other people is that human beings can change at any time. Therefore, we cannot find perfect rest either in ourselves or in other people.
But we can rest in God because God does not change.
That which is perfect does not need to change.
Automobiles, for example, have continually been developed and changed over the years. The fact that automobiles have continued to improve shows that they have never been perfect. If a perfect automobile had already been made, there would be no need to develop a new one. But because there is no perfect automobile in this world, automobiles will continue to be developed and changed.
God alone is unchanging. Therefore, the Word He has spoken will never change. Psalm 119:89 says:
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)
God Judges According to His Word
Some people think that because God is love, if they weep and plead with Him on the day of final judgment, He will take pity on them.
But such a thought fails to understand that God is perfect and unchanging. Everything will be fulfilled according to the Word He has spoken.
Jesus has already said:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
Therefore, those who do not believe in Jesus have reason to fear and tremble. At the final judgment, those who remain in unbelief will face the judgment God has already declared in His Word.
God Delivers Us from All Our Troubles
Today’s passage says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning.”
When a person moves, the position and shape of his shadow change. A shadow also changes as the position of the sun changes. But when Scripture says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning,” it teaches us that God is not like man, changing from one moment or circumstance to another.
God’s character does not change. His purpose does not change. His Word does not change.
Psalm 34:15 says:
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)
God does not turn His eyes and ears away from the righteous. Wherever we may be, He sees us and does not turn His face away from us. He sees us in our troubles and hears our cries.
Therefore, Psalm 34:19 says:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)
We should pay particular attention to the words “them all.”
We do not experience only one affliction in life. We face many troubles. Yet even in the midst of them, we can have hope because God has promised to deliver the righteous from all their afflictions.
Because God cannot change, we can trust Him to remain faithful to His Word through every trial.
God Is Faithful
Second Timothy 2:13 says:
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
To be “faithful” means to be trustworthy, dependable, and true to one’s word. Human beings can fail and prove unreliable. But God does not change according to circumstances.
God is always faithful, and He keeps the words He has spoken and the promises He has made.
Throughout Scripture, many people rejoiced in hope because they trusted the unchanging Word of God, and God did not put their trust to shame.
We who are sinners can also rest in Jesus Christ, who accomplished eternal redemption for us, because we know that no further payment for our sins is required.
Our rest is not based upon our own faithfulness, which may waver, but upon the faithfulness of the God who never changes.