God Never Changes

Another truth we learn from scripture is that God never changes.

Mal. 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

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.

Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

There are examples from scripture that teach that God delivers those who have faith in Him from the judgment of His wrath. The first example that comes to mind is that of Noah. Satan had been so successful in polluting the seed of Adam and deceiving the world with his lies that Noah was the last man “perfect” in his generations and who walked with God. (Genesis 6:8-9) The Lord had promised to send a deliverer from the “seed” of the woman to destroy Satan. Just when Satan must have thought that he had won, God sent a flood to destroy all mankind except Noah and his family. They were preserved in the ark though the rest of humanity was destroyed. The human race was given a fresh start.

The next example that comes to mind is that of the deliverance of Lot and his family before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Most interesting to me regarding that event is the conversation that Abraham had with the Lord prior to that event as recorded in Genesis 18:23-26. Some pertinent observations from that conversation:
• Abraham expected God not to punish the righteous with the unrighteous.
• God did not refute the validity of that expectation.
• God physically removed the righteous from the place of judgment.
• Punishment is reserved for the unjust.
I remember being surprised to find out that Lot was a righteous man, but we know this to be true since Peter affirms this truth.

2Pet. 2:7-9 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished….

Another example is recorded by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the time he was shown that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. The Lord was very specific to order that those who wept over the wickedness of the city [obviously those who honored God] were to be marked in the forehead for preservation. (Ezekiel 9:4-6)

I think there is one other truth that is significant in support of the believer’s deliverance from wrath. Paul taught that believers should “comfort” one another with this knowledge.

1Th. 5:9-11 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

There would certainly be no comfort in thinking one would experience God’s wrath.