Come to Him

An Unchanged God and His Unchanged Invitation

The last few weeks have been exhausting. Whether you’re drained from the high-alert anxiety we’re living in the continued escalation of political violence in America, or feel sapped dry by the confusion and heresy that marks much of Christian culture. Whether you’re emotionally exhausted from fraught disagreements or the constant effort to remind yourself of what is true in a climate where it seems like everyone has forgotten; Perhaps you’re mentally and spiritually tired from trying to square God’s word with much of what we see, and experience, in those who claim His name; And that’s even before we have acknowledged the heavy burdens of life that manifest uniquely in our individual storylines.

Two passages have been blessing me in the midst of this tiredness:

1. “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.” - Malachi 3:6

   This is a word from the Lord to the rebellious Israelites through the prophet Malachi. You might think it’s odd to dwell on this since it is in the context of rebuke, but that has actually made it even more helpful. When I am overwhelmed by repeated misrepresentations of the Gospel and God’s Kingdom, I often worry that I’m the one who has misunderstood or don’t know enough. But this passage reminds me: God does not change. He does not, and He has not. Thus, although I have more to learn, I don’t have to doubt that I can discern misrepresentations of God. Anything that contradicts Scripture, who God says He is, and His priorities, is incorrect. It really is that simple.

   It is also an encouragement to me in the context of lamenting how far we, the Church, have strayed from Christ and His heart for us. In this passage, God says that the “descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed,” despite their failure to obey His commands, and despite God also condemning their “robbery” of Him. We are living on the same mercy. This passage reminds me that God’s justice and mercy go hand-in-hand, and while my flesh wants a God that goes scorched earth on His enemies, we have one that will, but only after being infinitely merciful. We serve a God who does not do nothing, but denounces the sinfulness of His people while offering repentance again and again. I am reminded, therefore, that God is better, kinder, and more just than I will ever be, and am left with nothing but thankfulness.

2. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11: 28-30

   This passage goes hand-in-hand with the truth that God has not changed. If God has not changed, then this invitation from Jesus has not changed either. Where we are weary and burdened, He has rest for us. The load we carry that is breaking our backs, He has already and will, yet again, carry for us, giving us His easy and light burden in its place.

   If God has not changed, then Jesus’ invitation to the “Lost sheep of the House of Israel,” the downtrodden, the hurt, the marginalized, the oppressed, those in desperate need of Him, is still open to me. Without added prerequisites and stipulations.

   This invitation is a balm for the weary and wounded souls wandering the earth. Yet, sometimes, we see invisible stipulations hidden in the invitation. That is the voice of deception, the voice of shame.

   It’s the voice that whispers:

• “Yeah, but are you really going to come to Him like that?”

• “Ok, but you shouldn’t stay for too long, just a quick refresh, then you’d better get to it.”

• “You went for this already, are you really going back again?”

Friend, I implore you: Don’t allow the harsh whisper of shame to drown out the unending, unchanged invitation to “Come” to Jesus. When shame adds a heavy boulder to the load you’re already carrying, know that Jesus is waiting to let you trade it all in, shame included. You can have relief; He will teach you His gentle and humble ways. He will give you rest.

Reflection Questions

I would love for you to share in the comments section, or journal on your own:

1. How does your heart respond to the truth: God has not changed?

2. What burdens am I carrying that the Lord is inviting me to lay down?

3. What knee-jerk reasons are keeping you from accepting Jesus’ invitation?

Music Meditations