Devotionals

Changing Words

by Anne Adams
12/13/24
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“For I am the Lord, I do not change… Malachi 3:6a – NKJV

“Mommy, if I slow down will God still judge me?”

When small Joey whispered his question in church Sue was first surprised and then puzzled. However, when she asked him about it after church though at first he seemed to have forgotten about it after a moment he answered.  

“We said that in church.” he said. “Where God will judge the ‘quick and the dead.’ I know I’m not dead but does that mean I should slow down so God won’t judge me?”

Sue realized this referred to part of the “Apostles Creed” statement of belief that the congregation regularly recited in church and she paused a moment before she carefully phrased an answer. “Well, no, God doesn’t judge you as to how fast you move.” She told him. “But you know that judging is where God sometimes has to tell us what we’ve done wrong so he can forgive us.” Joey nodded as she continued. “Well, the word ‘quick’ here is a very old word – an out dated way of saying ‘living’ – it’s actually saying that when Jesus returns God will judge living people and also those who have died.”   

Joey seemed to be listening closely as Sue continued. “Some words – like this – change in meaning over time and this is what happened with ‘quick.’ That’s why you were confused.”

We may tend to think of Joey’s misunderstanding as amusing, but in a way it’s actually quite comforting. That’s because while words change in meaning, God and all he is does not.

After all, in a world when clothing styles, technology, and ideas regularly change, God always remains the same.  In him there are no changes – ever – so we can always depend on his consistent and ceaseless love, provision and guidance.