Change Has A Purpose: Part 1

by Bob Yandian | Articles, Christian Living

I am the LORD, I change not
(Mal. 3:6)

God does not change—man does. Not only is change a part of everyone’s life, it is a necessary part. God never allowed any believer in the Bible to remain in one place for long. He kept each one moving for a great spiritual reason.

After Elijah declared there would be no rain, God told him to move from the presence of King Ahab to the brook Cherith where he would be fed by ravens. When the brook dried up, he was told by God to go to Zerephath to be fed by a widow. When Elijah wanted to camp at the cave at Horeb, God asked twice “what are you doing here?” Each place was to be a temporary stop on the way to Gods fulfillment for Elijah’s life and ministry: Change, change, change.

Israel followed the cloud of God during the day and remained under the fire each night. The nation was told quite often to change direction because they had camped in one place too long (see Deut. 1:6, 2:2). If we try to settle in one place in our Christian walk, we become stagnant. Change is an important and necessary part of our life.

We are surrounded by ever increasing changes in technology, music and education. Yet, in the Christian life, and in the church, we fight change. God’s plan not only includes change, it is change.

But we all, with open face looking as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18).

Just as we are to change and advance in our heart, we are to also accept natural changes in our life, at church and with our relationship with other Christians.

We don’t mind change in our life, if it is toward the better. We all want to move toward healing and better health. We also want to move from financial lack toward prosperity. After all, who doesn’t want to make more money?

We preach change in church, but most of us think it is for everyone else. We want sinners to leave the service saved, sick people to leave healed and carnal Christians to leave with a newfound joy after returning to fellowship with God. But we gripe when the praise and worship team introduces a new song, or we find someone sitting in our seat when we arrive for church. But, our greatest challenge seems to be a change of church leadership, especially the pastor.

Change Is Necessary

God will hear, and afflict them, He who abides from old. Because they have no changes, therefore they do not fear God. (Psalm 55:19)
(NIV) Men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.
(NLT) Because they refuse to change their ways, they do not fear God.
(ESV) Because they do not change and do not fear God.

When you fight change, refuse to change, you stop your journey. Most of all, you lose your reverence for God. God’s guidance is found in change. To serve God is to change often. You resist change because you want to remain in control. When you embrace change, you recommit your trust in God. He is then in control of your life again.

Life Is Made Up Of Seasons
Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 about the shortness of seasons in our natural and spiritual life. Just as spring leads to summer and summer into fall and winter, so are the seasons of life. Even time is divided into decades, years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds. Some changes come over a long period of time and others seem to change by the minute. Nothing remains the same forever, except God. So, make up your mind now, change is inevitable. As Johnny Rivers sang, “the only thing that’s permanent is change.”

Let’s break down Ecclesiastes 3 into sections.

Spiritual And Natural Seasons

To everything (natural) there is a season, and a time to every purpose (spiritual) under the heaven:
(Eccl.3:1)

Natural seasons are visible pictures of God’s will for our spiritual lives. There is a different season for apples, oranges, wheat and corn. So there are different seasons for each believer in their spiritual walk. No two believers find their call at the same time. So, quit being upset when a Christian brother or sister discovers their purpose and you have yet to find yours. Your season will come.

Seasons Expire

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
(Eccl. 3:2-8)

Many changes which come into our life seem to undo what has been done, they are seeming setbacks. Yet, all changes come to take us to a new level. Limbs which have grown on a tree need to be cut off, pruned, to produce healthier fruit. In other words, you cannot live today on yesterday’s victories and experiences. Change comes for new strength and growth.

There Is Profit In Change

What profit has he who works in his labors? I have seen the burden, which God has given to the sons of men to be busy in it.
(Eccl. 3:9-10)

Change has great value. It is a leader’s greatest asset, because it can be expected. You can use change to create and move ahead. It is your friend. Change allows you to prepare, be inspired. Leaders exist for change. Without change you have no job. Change seems to be more of a challenge for followers than for leaders. If you can learn to adapt to change as an employee, subordinate or church member, you are in a greater position for advancement. Accepting change prepares you for leadership.

The enemy of change is tradition. It kills creativity. In church and in life itself, move on from the former things. God wants to do a new thing in your life.

Source: What If The Best Is Yet To Come? by Bob Yandian
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

For more than 40 years Bob Yandian has taught the unchanging truth of God’s word. He pastored Grace Fellowship in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 33 years where he raised up and sent out hundreds of ministers to churches and missions organizations around the world through the School of the Local Church, and Grace School of Ministry.

Bob's mission is to train up a new generation in the word of God through his "Student of the Word" broadcast, and by ministering in Bible schools, minister's conferences, and churches.

Known as an expositor of the Bible, he is widely acknowledged as one of the most knowledgeable teachers of this generation. His practical insight and wisdom into the word of God have helped countless people to grow to maturity in the Christian life.

Bob is a graduate of Trinity Bible College where he studied under Charles Duncomb, an associate of Smith Wigglesworth. He served as both instructor and Dean of Instructors at Rhema Bible Training Center. Pastor Yandian serves on the board of Joyce Meyer Ministries, and Andrew Wommack Ministries.

Bob has been married to Loretta for over forty years. They are parents of two married children and have five grandchildren.