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For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

When RBC began, there was no Internet. RBCers didn’t have computers, vehicle airbags, smartphones (or even dumb phones!) The Redskins hadn’t yet won a Super Bowl. There was no Chipotle. There wasn’t even Starbucks, unless you lived in Seattle and were buying beans by the bag from an unknown little shop in Pike Place Market.  It had been only a couple years since the Vietnam War ended. The U.S. was still 15 years out from the first Gulf War. It would be 26 years until 9/11 and 45 years until the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Of course, the 70s themselves were a milestone of much change from decades before. But with the rise of the Internet and the connectivity we experience today, one thing’s for sure: if this world wasn’t already changing rapidly before, it is certainly getting to the point where if you blink, the world becomes virtually unrecognizable.  

And yet, amidst millions of new businesses, countless technological advancements, unsettling cultural shifts and too many breathtaking tragedies, we as Christians can find comfort in the truth of Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The band Sanctus Real authored a new song called My God Is Still the Same that reflects this powerful truth, and we will sing it together this Sunday. The verses of this song focus on several elements that God used throughout the Old and New Testaments to show the unchanging nature of His mighty power. 

The song begins, “Just ask the waves, if they are stilled at the mention of His name…” These lyrics take us back to the Sea of Galilee, some 2000 years ago. Luke recounts the story of Jesus calming a raging storm with just a few words. It’s easy to read this story in context but keep a mental separation between then and now. Yet, those are the same waters floating there today that were stilled at the direction of Jesus’ voice—and they are just as beholden to the sound of His voice today as they ever were. The stanza closes with the answer of the waves, who say, “My God is still the same.” We are then taken to a time where the intimidating walls of Jericho crumbled at the mighty sound of God-fearers, shouting in faith at the top of their lungs. “Ask the walls if they still fall at the mighty sound of praise.” The stanza closes with the answer of the walls, who likewise say, “My God is still the same.” We are later prompted to consider how effectively God hears the words of those who cry out in times of hurt and sadness. “Ask the words you prayed in desperation if they’re heard.” The answer: “My God is still the same.” 

The last stanza ends with a consideration of the grave, a place that can feel so finite, so formidable to the unsaved human. “Ask the grave if it’s strong enough to keep hope in its chains.” Even the grave cedes to the Almighty, admitting that it cannot keep the believer in death: “God is still the same.” The chorus similarly proclaims truths about God’s consistent grace: He will never break His promise, never fail us, never lose His power, and never change His mercy. Not once. “Never has, never will.” Our God is still the same.

In Malachi 3, God speaks powerfully through the prophet: “’For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.’” Here, we have a stark and important reminder of our broken human condition in relation to God without Christ, and yet also a gracious reminder of how awesome his mercy is. Because He does not change, we are not consumed. Isn’t it amazing? Even in spite of our brokenness, even while we were still sinners …our God is still the same. Regardless of all the changes that have taken place since RBC began over 45 years ago …our God is still the same. And even as we face changes yet to come …our God is still the same.

As we gather this Sunday and sing praise to God, may we be reminded of His beautiful consistency and unwavering dependability throughout all of time. When the change around us seems unsettling or overwhelming, doubts and questions may arise in our hearts. Perhaps there are moments or seasons in which we relate with the rhetorical questions the song asks. “When did He break His promise?” “When did His kindness fail?” “When did He lose His power?” “When did His mercy change?” But when we sing this song together this Sunday, may our voices rise in worship to proclaim a resolved, unified response:

“Never has, never will. Our God is still the same!”

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Christmastime is here.  (Are you singing the Charlie Brown theme in your head right now?)  The decorations, the lights, the music – and that feeling of anticipation for something long-awaited.  We run from place to place in preparation and take part in things that bring incredible joy in the moment… but that often result in the great “December 26^th Let-Down.”  Do you know what I’m talking about? On December 26, it’s time to go back to normal: as we take down the lights and the tree, put away the music and the decorations, and start looking ahead, we begin feeling the weight and the pressures of the approaching new year.

How can we anticipate December 25^th with great excitement without dreading December 26^th?  It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the shift… and that’s where Jesus comes in and sits with us in the pile of crinkled-up wrapping paper, tree flocking and storage boxes.  While the worldly evidence of the season may disappear, the Reason for the season remains and will reign forever and ever.  The goodness of God and light of His glory will never fade. It remains tangibly evident in every element of His creation (Isaiah 55:12, Psalm 96:11-12).

“Light Has Come” was written as a testament of this truth and as a joyful declaration of God’s lovingkindness.  Its lyrics contain some of my favorite names of God, those which I frequently call upon in times of joy and sorrow.

• “King of Heaven” (Daniel 4:37)
• “Son of Man” (Matthew 18:11, Matthew 25:31-32, Mark 14:62)
• “Blameless One” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• “Perfect Sacrifice” (John 1:29, Hebrews 10:12)
• “King of Kings” (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16, Revelation 17;14)
• “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27, John 16:33, Ephesians 2:14)
• “God’s Own Son” (Romans 8:32, John 3:16)
• “Messiah” (John 4:25-26, John 1:41)
• “Light of the World” (John 8:12, John 1:5, Psalm 27:1, 2 Corinthians 4:6) who has overcome darkness, sin and death (2 Timothy 1:10, Revelation 1:18, Isaiah 25:8, John 11:25-26)

Perhaps most frequently heard at Christmastime, Jesus is Emmanuel: “God with Us” (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14). We have a real and personal Savior, mighty enough to take away the sin of the world and merciful enough to love and help us every step from now through eternity.

He sees every high and low, standing with us on the mountaintops and equipping us with His sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) to navigate the valleys and wilderness without fear (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 118:6, Psalm 27:1, Romans 8:31, Philippians 4:13).  He shows His infinite lovingkindness and mercy (Psalm 145:9, Deuteronomy 7:9, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalm 100:5) to the least of these and calls us to do the same (Matthew 25:40, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42). He is kind to bring people and circumstances across our paths that provide opportunities to share the light of Christmas and the joy of the world throughout the year (Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:30, Matthew 5:13-16.)

With Jesus, God’s Christmas gift of hope, light and joy becomes a permanent fixture rooted deep within us and held fast by the Holy Spirit (Jude 24, John 10:29-30).  This unspeakable joy overflows and permeates every facet of life, compelling us to live it out loud and declare it boldly in words and deeds (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:16-20).

This sums up the message of “Light Has Come,” and my prayer is that this song and its lyrics will encourage your heart this season as we turn our eyes upon the Light and the Hope that came down to dwell among us more than 2,000 years ago in the frailty of human flesh (John 1:14).  In Jesus, that frailty was put to death (Hebrews 4:15) so that we could be raised to abundant life for all of eternity when we place our hope solely in Him (1 John 2:2).  May we keep Christ in Christmas and may we share the steadfast love of Jesus with the world during this season and beyond – during the silent nights and during the busy days.

LIGHT HAS COME

In a stable, history began

King of Heaven, born the Son of Man

A star shone bright, the angels sang

Wise men, shepherds, all they came

Knelt before the newborn Savior King

Innocence wrapped in Love’s pure light

Blameless One, Perfect Sacrifice

King of Kings, Prince of Peace

Lover of the least of these

God’s own Son, come to give us life

So light the candles, ring the bells

Climb the mountains, go and tell

Of Messiah’s love for us

It’s Christmas!

Emmanuel, God with Us

Hallelujah, Christ has come!

Sin defeated, death undone

It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas!

Sing joy to the world!

Joy to the world!

Sing joy to the world!

Light has come!