COMMITTEE ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FEATURE

Sometimes we take comfort in knowing that things will change—and sometimes in knowing that they won’t. The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us all that life in this world is unpredictable, and sometimes devastatingly so. In contrast, Disney’s popular film Frozen 2, released last year, features the cheerful song “Some Things Never Change.” Princess Anna’s message that there are “certain certainties” is unexpectedly refreshing. But is it true? Is there a basis for this message?

The Bible decidedly tells us “yes!”

In our hearts, we know that some things never change because there is Someone who cannot change. From the light of nature and the works of creation and providence, people know who God is in his goodness, wisdom, and power (Westminster Confession of Faith 1:1). Even where sinners suppress this knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18), it nevertheless remains, tugging on our hearts, that we might seek him who does not change (Acts 17:27).

Through the testimony of Scripture, we see all the more clearly the beautiful reality that God cannot change. God has made himself known to us in Jesus Christ, who as the divine Son of God is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb. 1:3). And in his resurrection glory as our Redeemer, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). In both the deity and incarnate work of our Savior, we see the same truth blazing forth: our God cannot change. He is “infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth” (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 4).

So yes, for Christians, there is an unchanging reason to sing that some things never change.

While Disney is not a source for our theology, a Disney song can accurately and eloquently capture the current concerns of people’s hearts, including: how do we understand the cycle of life and death? How can we face an uncertain world with confidence? Is there something that never changes? Is this “something” just a principle of truth—like gravity—or is there an ultimate personal dimension to this truth? Is there someone whom we can know will never change, not ever? And can we have a relationship with such a person?

Princesses Anna and Elsa answer these questions resting in their own strength, singing, “Some things never change. / And I’m holding on tight to you.” And so the world sings with them, looking for a personal relationship that will never change.

What if we could give the world the biblical reason to believe what they sing—and even more? Our parody of “Some Things Never Change,” a collaborative effort between me and a few others, attempts to do just that. The lyrics are below, but the song is best listened to rather than read. You can find it, sung by the amazing Lindsay Padden, on my YouTube channel.

Our hope is that these lyrics would cause many to rejoice in the God who never changes like the shifting shadows, pandemic news, or our unstable hearts! And as many learn his unchanging trustworthiness in the gospel of his Son, may they call this God their own.

“Our God Cannot Change”

Yes, the curse runs a little bit colder (Gen. 3:17),
But we’re all getting bolder (Acts 2:14).
And the glory of heaven’s filled with God’s own peace (Ps. 46).
At the start God spoke as the Realizer (Gen. 1:1; Neh. 9:6),
At the end he’ll act as the Heavenizer (Rev. 21:1–2)
And his love comes to us with certain certainty (Rom. 8:38–39).

Yes, our God cannot change (Mal. 3:6),
Like his covenant grace is mine (Ps. 25:14)
Our God stays the same (Mal. 3:6)
For he lives beyond space and time (Ps. 90:2).

As the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9),
No one knows your ways (Isa. 55:8).
Your mercies are always new (Lam. 3:23).
Our God cannot change (Mal. 3:6),
So in Christ I’ll worship you (John 4:24)!

We know that Satan has already fallen (Is. 14:13–14),
And we read that the Father is calling (1 Cor. 1:9),
Are you telling me tonight you’re going to get down on your knees (Phil. 2:11)?
God’s decreed and now his work is all planned out (Eph. 1:11)
The risen Christ has his lamps and the meal’s out (Rev. 1:12–13; 19:9)
And what he says in his Word you know he guarantees (Ps. 119:89).

Yes, our God cannot change (Mal. 3:6),
And there is nothing in him impure (Ps. 18:26).
Our God stays the same (Mal. 3:6),
And if anyone’s eager

To make a fit and dispense with it (1 Tim. 6:20),
You’ll know what to say and do (Heb. 10:23), right?
Our God cannot change (Mal. 3:6),
And the blessing is all on you (Num. 6:24–26).

Our sins are restless, and that’s why I so easily fall (Gen. 4:7),
But God he loves us, he will not lose the least of us at all (John 6:39),
The church is precious, it will not slip away (Eph. 5:22–23; Matt. 16:18).
For Christ has made atonement and, now he reigns above for her this day (Isa. 53:5–6; 1 Pet. 2:24; Col. 3:1).

The curse runs a little bit colder (Gen. 3:17),
But in Christ we’re all getting much bolder (Acts 2:14);
It’s time to hold the faith we share with saints gone by (Heb. 13:7).
We’ll always live in the kingdom of glory (Heb. 12:28)
That shines in the big upper story (Ps. 57:5; 113:4).
And God promises his church will soon be raised on high (James 5:8).

Our God cannot change (Mal 3:6)
He never turns like the shadows roam (James 1:17)
Our God stays the same (Mal. 3:6)
So the future is his alone (Is. 46:10)
He is not surpassed, may his power last (Rev. 7:12).
Earth comes and goes, it’s true (Ps. 102:26),
Our God cannot change (Mal. 3:6),
So in Christ I’ll worship you (John 4:24).

The author is member of Calvary OPC in Glenside, Pennsylvania.