Our government has done a massive U-turn and reversed their decision to relax the rules over Christmas, and so disappointed millions of people. How could they have anticipated the mutant strain of the virus which is spreading so fast?

We all promise things in good faith and then find ourselves unable to keep our promises. And so we often disappoint people.

The Bible describes God as sometimes changing His mind, or relenting, but this is almost always when He decides to defer or to revoke threatened punishment. This is because He is so longsuffering and merciful:

“…a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth”

Psalm 86:15

In fact He knows what is going to happen, so nothing can surprise Him or spoil His plans. This includes offering eternal life to us human beings.

“…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began”

Titus 1:2

And His promise of a wonderful kingdom on earth with a perfect king is an important part of this. As the angel Gabriel said to Mary

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus.He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of His father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

And the old man Simeon recognized that the baby Jesus would fulfil God’s promises by bringing salvation to both Jews and non-Jews.

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel”

Luke 2:30-32

This is an uncertain world where decisions are hard and often frustrated. Let us all determine to trust in God and resolutely prepare for the return of Jesus. God will not make a U-turn about this promise.

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