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The blue steamer trunk held our entire life belongings. My parents sold off anything that would not fit into the container. Soon, my family would jet off to a new life in another country. We prepared to immigrate from Ireland to Canada. My parents were leaving everything they knew and loved behind to seek a new life. At the airport, my grandmother gave my mother a small gift to take to our new home. She gave her a little, framed picture with a Bible verse scrolled across the top. The verse was Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
I don’t remember much about that day at the airport because I was so young. But, mom told me the story of it often. The picture hung prominently in every house. The print moved with us the next twelve times across two countries and five states. No matter what changed in our surroundings, the verse in the picture always reminded us that Jesus did not change. Jesus stayed with us no matter where we traveled.
2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”
The years flew by. My dad died, and a year later, my mom joined him in their heavenly home. As we sorted through all their worldly belongings, I came across the picture once again. We sold or donated most of my parent’s belongings, but I kept the picture. It now hangs in my home to remind me that no matter what changes, Jesus never does.
[bctt tweet=”I am reminded that no matter what changes, Jesus never does.”]
Revelations 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
The gold frame chipped, and the picture faded during the years, but the words remain as powerful as ever. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is steadfast in His love and mercy towards us. This Bible verse should encourage each of us to persevere because God stands by us each day of our lives.
[bctt tweet=”Jesus is steadfast in His love and mercy towards us.”]
Yesterday
Throughout the Bible, we see God. We see Him love and protect His people. In Ezekiel 48:35, God is called YAHWEH-SHAMMAH, which means God is here. God provides for His faithful followers and even dies on the Cross to save them and us today. He was there in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He used Moses to rescue His people from Egypt. Jesus walked and talked with His disciples. And, He gave us the Holy Spirit to remain with them after He rose again. He was with them always.
Today
That same God in the Bible is with us today in all our circumstances. He dwells within our hearts, making our bodies His temple. He gives us His promise that we will be with Him in Heaven for all eternity. His love and mercy uphold us daily as we face the world. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Tomorrow
Our heavenly Father is already present in our tomorrows. He promises to give us a future in Jeremiah 29:11. As long as we continue to believe in Him, Christ will continue to walk by our sides. We find this promise in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” God holds all our tomorrows in His hands, so we do not have to worry or fear the future.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. You can count on Him always. I have seen His faithfulness with my own eyes. When I forget, the old picture hanging on my wall.
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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I am comforted knowing He loves me every moment.
Amen and thanks
Yvonne, what a beautiful story! I loved hearing how the framed scripture was passed from your grandmother to your mother to you. And how many places it has traveled along the way! It is a most fitting reminder of Jesus’ steadfast love. Thank you for the scripture details that remind us of exactly how the LORD is the same yesterday, today and forever. May we rest in Him always.
Thanks Melissa. It holds a lot of meaning for me, spiritually and as part of my ancestry. I can’t imagine moving so far with only the items that fit in one trunk. My parents were brave.
So brave. I would treasure it too!
I love this, Yvonne! Thank you for sharing your story! Beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness!
Thanks Marcie
Thanks Melissa. It is a treasure
I love this story, Yvonne. The verse inscribed makes it that much more awesome. How special that the picture not only traveled with your family across so many places, but also now hangs in your home. So glad you shared a photo of it. Do you have plans to pass it down to other generations?
Thanks Karen. I do hope to pass it on to one of my girls but I am not sure it will mean as much. Each time we moved, the picture was put up quickly and made the new place feel like home. My kids have not moved as much as I did so won’t understand the comfort it brought me.
I’ve given up. I’ve hoped for so long, my heart has been broken for so long. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, a broken heart sick too long dies. When the heart dies, hope dies.
I pray the Lord provides you His eternal hope. God bless
What a wonderful seed of comfort your mother planted. And now it bears fruit in your life and becomes a seed in us. Wonderful.
Thanks Nancy. It is a very special reminder
So beautiful! I love those precious family memories. And I love how our God never changes! I don’t think we understand the full weight of how wonderful that is. My prayer is I will not take that characteristic of His for granted!
Amen Emily. It is very easy to forget and take him for granted
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH… I wasn’t aware of this name for God and I love him. My life has not been the most stable; it’s comforting to know that the God I serve is immovable. Thank you for this reminder!
Amen Candice. God’s faithfulness is unmatched and available to all.
This is really encouraging. It’s something we know. But yet, having these promises stated again today is very needful and a precious reminder. Your grandmother was a wise woman to send that framed picture and verse with your mother. Relocation is incredibly disoriented, and it’s easy to forget that what was true back there is equally true here. Jesus never changes, no matter where we go. Yesterday, today, and forever, he remains steadfastly the same. Praise God for it! Thank you for today’s message, Yvonne!
You are welcome Melinda. Moving is difficult and that picture help remind us daily. Now, as I age and experience health issues it still reminds me that He is still with me. God bless
Amen to: Jesus is steadfast in His love and mercy towards us.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Thank you Wendy. His mercy endures forever. What an amazing concept. God bless
So inspiring!
Thank you and God bless