God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19

Have you been lied to?  Have you been deceived by someone you trusted?  Has someone you counted on suddenly changed their mind and left you wanting?  

And what about you?  Have you broken promises? Have you made a promise and then changed your mind?  Even told a “white lie”?  I am quite sure that we all have experienced these.  Deception creates an atmosphere of distrust.  Words do not match the actions of the character.

In this passage, Balaam, an expert liar himself, speaks the truth.  Even he recognizes the uniqueness of God and His holy, unchanging character.  God is not human, that he should lie or change his mind.  He fulfills His promises.  His actions reflect His holiness.  His promises are true and we can trust in Him.  He will do what He has promised! 

When we do not understand the circumstances we are experiencing, we can trust God’s character.  People lie and deceive and our circumstances change, but God does not.  In Matthew 28:20 He promises, “And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Great is Thy faithfulness, ” O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Thomas Chisholm

Prayer: Dear God, we praise you as the unchanging, eternal God. Thank you that we can trust you always!  Help us look to you as our faithful, trustworthy Father.  Amen.

Contributed by Vickie Petersen