The Unchanging God and the New Covenant Glory
As sunlight fills a room and transforms a mirror’s reflection, so the glory of Jesus fills us as we behold Him.
Devotional Credit: Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
Photo Credit: Unsplash
In today’s reading, T. Austin-Sparks draws us into the wonder of God’s unchanging nature. The Lord declares, “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). From the old covenant to the new, the nature of God remains perfect in holiness and righteousness. Grace has not altered His standard, nor has it lowered His character. The difference between the old and the new lies not in God, but in the Mediator who stands between God and man.
Under the old covenant, man’s standing was always fragile and insufficient. The sacrifices and mediators could never fully satisfy God’s righteousness. But in the new covenant, the Lord Jesus stands as the perfect Mediator. He has fulfilled every demand of God’s holiness, offering Himself once for all. Because of Him, we now stand accepted in God’s presence, clothed in His righteousness and secure in His love.
Sparks also challenges us to rethink ministry. Too often we view ministry as the work of a few standing on a platform. Yet, the reality of the new covenant is that all who are in Jesus have the privilege of beholding Him, and in beholding Him, we are transformed. Ministry flows not from position or platform, but from the overflow of seeing His fullness and sharing Him with others.
This is the glory of the new covenant. It is not that God has changed, but that in Jesus we are brought near, transformed from one degree of glory to another as we gaze upon Him. Ministry is not reserved for a select few, but is the calling of every believer to reflect the glory of the One in whom we now stand complete.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, I am the Lord, and I do not change. My holiness remains pure, My righteousness remains perfect, and My love remains steadfast. Do not think that grace means I have lowered My standard, for My Son has fulfilled it all. The difference is not in Me, but in the Mediator I have given you.
You are no longer standing on shaky ground, trying to prove yourself worthy. You stand in Jesus, who satisfies My righteousness completely. Because of Him, you are accepted, cleansed, and secure. This is the glory of the new covenant, that you are in Him, and He is in you.
Do not think ministry belongs only to a chosen few. Behold My Son, and as you see Him, you are transformed. From that transformation flows ministry, not from duty but from delight. Every believer who beholds Him is called to share His life with others. This is how you are changed from one degree of glory to another, not by striving, but by seeing My Son.
Scripture References: Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 9:11-15, Hebrews 10:10-14, Romans 5:19, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 2:9-10, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4.
Real-Life Analogy
Consider a mirror in a dimly lit room. At first it reflects very little because the light is faint. But as the morning sun rises and streams through the window, the mirror begins to shine more clearly, reflecting the brightness that fills the room. The mirror itself has not changed, but what it reflects has become fuller. In the same way, God has not changed, but in Jesus, the light of His glory shines in fullness, and we reflect it as we behold Him.
Today, when I am tempted to think ministry belongs only to others, I can rest and say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me as I behold Your Son.” In this way, I yield to Him, allowing His glory to reflect through my life into the lives of those around me.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that You never change. Your holiness, righteousness, and love remain perfect and unshaken. I rejoice that in Jesus, the perfect Mediator, I stand complete before You. I thank You that I do not have to strive for worthiness, for in Him, I am accepted. I rest in the privilege of beholding Your Son and trust that as I gaze upon Him, You will reflect His glory through me into the world.