No need to wait for new, improved God

At times I am amused at the commercials on television, especially those advertising a new improved product. For instance, new washing machine soap has 30 percent more cleaning power. A new window cleaner that spirts out through a high-powered hose has 100 percent more pressure and the ingredients are advertised as having 100 percent more cleaning power. I even saw a commercial for septic tanks and the new and improved power ingredient promises 50 percent more “targeted” actions to do the job.

In addition, other things not even advertised are new and improved. Phones today are far away from the wall mounted ringer phone that my grandmother used to have on her dining room wall. The high-tech pickups today don’t resemble the old Ford pickup that my grandfather drove to haul feed from the feed store. Long gone are the days of old propeller airplanes of the 1950s. The old black and white television set with the chunky nob channel changer and “rabbit ears” on the top is certainly obsolete in today’s world.

I suppose many things in life are new and improved. But think about this: We never have to advertise that God is new and improved. We never have to say “Well the God today is better that the God of the Bible. He has come a long way! Try him today and you will like the new and improved God.”

The Bible says that Jesus Christ unchanging. The Bible reads: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The same God of the Bible is the same God of today. (Hebrews 13:8)

The same God that helped Moses when Moses doubted his abilities to be used of God and stand before Pharaoh is the same God that will help us in our weaknesses today. (Exodus 4)

The same God that guided Ruth and Naomi from a desolate land into another country and arranged for their provision is willing to give us provision for our needs today. (The Book of Ruth)

The same God that heard Hannah when she cried out to him with her disappointment because she could not have a child is willing to heal our disappointments and answer our prayers today. (1 Samuel 1)

The same God who spoke to Nehemiah as he was going through a particular crisis is the same God that will help us through the crisis times of our life when our faith is frail. (Nehemiah 1:5-11 and 2:8)

The same God that forgave David for his grievous sin with Bathsheba is willing to forgive us of our sins today. (Psalm 51)

The same God that protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery flames of the blazing hot furnace is the same God that will protect us when we go through the challenging dangers of life. (Daniel 3:8-27)

The same God that shielded Daniel in the lion’s den wants to be our safeguard and shield all the days of our lives. (Daniel 6)

Why do we not have to advertise that there is a new and improved God?

Because God never changes. All that he has been and is, he will ever be. He is ever perfect and unchanging. (Psalm 25:28)

Because God is just. We can trust him to always do what is right. (Psalm 75:1-7)

Because God is sovereign. God presides over every event, great or small, and he is in control of our lives. (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)

Because God is Jehovah-nissi. This name means “God our banner.” Under his banner we go from triumph to triumph and say, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). (Exodus 17:8-15)

Because God is wise. God knows and acts with perfect wisdom in all things. He always acts for our good, which is to make us like Christ. (Proverbs 13:19-20.

Because God is El-Shaddai, which means “God Almighty,” the God who is all-sufficient and all-bountiful, the source of all blessings. (Genesis 49:22-26)

Because of God’s immutability, we can trust him. He does not become more aware of us with time. God does not sharpen his powers to make them better; his powers are complete, constant and consistent.

Don’t wait for a new and improved God. He offers you salvation, peace and security today and that offer does not get better with time.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at:

[email protected]