Unchanging God

Recently while studying the New Testament for my personal study and also the Old Testament for Sunday School, I have noticed a difference with God. Which bothered me, since I have been taught that God is always the same; same as he was then as he is now. The differences I've noticed is that in the Old Testament God was much more violent and aggressive with his children. Some examples of God acting this way is: Samuel 15, when God commands all the Amalekites to be slain (including man, woman and child, even all beasts), or Acts chapter 5 when God kills a couple for not being honest about their tithing. Can you imagine God asking us to kill an entire nation of people, even children? Or killing us as we stand at the bishop's office when we know the amount isn't honest? Crazy right?

At first I didn't think too much about it because it bothered me so much. I asked myself, "So, why is it that God is so harsh and so justice oriented whereas today I feel like the God I know is much more merciful and loving?", "Did the prophets who wrote the scriptures just forget to write about that subtle, caring and forgiving side of God that I know so well?", or, "Does God really change?" I felt like a cat whose fur was being rubbed the wrong way whenever I read stories like the ones I mentioned. But I feel like I can finally give an answer to my questions, and better yet, reasons for those answers too.

First and foremost I know that God is the same today as he was yesterday, because he is perfect and perfection has no need to change. So if God didn't change what did? I think we did, the children of Israel. I think although God himself, his nature, does not change his methods of working with his children change according to what we need. I related this idea to a 6 year old and a 16 year old to my boyfriend, Jeff. Here is exactly what I said through several texts:

"I've learned that God is always the same. God of Abraham is my God as well. I understand that he does not change, but his children do change. And because we change, his methods change. Like Jacob 5 (the parable of the olive trees of the Lord's orchard), how to best nourish us. I like to think of ourselves like the "older children" of God. you wouldn't spank a 16 year old- but that doesn't mean they need less discipline than a 6 year old either. I think the Israelites of the ancient days were more like [6] year olds [and they required a stricter, firmer form of discipline in order to understand and appreciate God's will.]"

I am happy with this answer and I am no longer bothered about those stories I read about in the Old Testament. Boy, it sure feels great to find answers to questions!

Climbing to a Glorious Day

Fear clutched my mind and heart. I couldn't imagine going up, and I didn't believe I could go down. I really had gotten myself into a predicament. I had chosen to go to the ropes course with my girlfriend, and even though my efforts to act brave before the actual climbing kept my mind at ease, I knew climbing to the top of the 50 foot wooden behemoth of a tower was out of the question. In my mind it wasn't possible. Previous to the climbing I had set a goal to get to a platform about 10 feet from the top, but as I clutched the hand holds on the diagonally rising wooden beam my feeble goal seemed out of reach. Defeated I climbed down to a lower platform halfway between the ground and my goal I looked at my girlfriend with vanquished eyes. All I saw in her face was encouragement and hope. How could I let a pretty face like that down? A new strength surged within me. Maybe I could climb higher. A thought, or maybe a seed of faith? With this new strength I started up the wooden beam again. I learned from my last attempt that looking down is not a good idea because it made me even more scared. I looked forward with resolve. "Just keep looking forward," the thought resounded in my mind. I climbed higher one hand hold at a time and got stuck in the same place partly out of fear, and partly out of not knowing where to put my feet to go higher. "Where is a foot hold!?" I yelled down.
"Put your left foot where your right foot is, and put your left foot on the foot hold a little higher up!" They yelled back. They were right, but it was easier said than done. With much more mental effort than physical I carefully did as they suggested and hoisted myself higher. With shouts of encouragement from my girlfriend, and the perspective of moving forward I continued on until I reached my goal. I sat exhausted on the small platform with my legs hanging off the edge. I stood heavy, but relieved breaths. I had done it! "You're almost there," shouted my girlfriend, "just a little bit farther." She was right. I only had 10 feet to go to reach the top of the tower. I might be able to do that. I had already come this far, why not go the extra mile (or in this case 10 feet). Putting the foot of faith forward I climbed the rope ladder that lead to the top. As I stood on the top of the tower I looked around amazed not by the stunning view, but by the incredible feat I had just accomplished. Accomplished is a good word because that is how I felt. Never had I been this high, and I overcame a previous fear. Not only was my self-esteem boosted, but the lessons I learned through the experience are priceless, and applicable. This was a glorious day in the life of Jeffrey Beck. I challenge you to have glorious days.