O Thou Who Changest Not, Abide With Me!

[This is a short homily given at a residential care home for the elderly.]

In the pop song ‘Everything fades away’, Mariah Carey sings the words, “Nothing ever stays the same.”

However, in the old hymn ‘Abide with me’ we come across these words:

“Change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me.”

This morning I came across a poem with the title, “Change is our only constancy.” We live in a world which is changing rapidly. Computers and mobile ‘phone technology being just two examples. How often have we heard someone say, “Things ain’t what they used to be”? Society, attitudes, beliefs, the sense of right and wrong; these all seem to be changing before our very eyes:

“Change and decay in all around I see.”

Our Bible reading is packed with facts and promises which do not change! We have here wonderful, unchanging facts about the one who was, and who is, and who is to come; words of praise to Jesus Christ, and to his Father, the Lord God.

Here are some things which do not change:

1. God’s existence (v4). He holds all things together; past, present and future. God has seen every change that will ever happen, yet he does not change. He’s the alpha and the omega, the first and the last (v8).

2. The rule of Jesus Christ (v5). Rulers, governments, and political parties come and go, but the rule of Jesus is assured.

3. The love of Jesus Christ doesn’t change (verse 5).

4. The effectiveness of the shed blood of Jesus (v5).

5. The forgiveness of our sins (v5)! Through faith in Jesus all of our sins are forgiven for all time, always!

“Change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me.” Amen!