It Starts Small

As we worked on the definition of God’s Righteousness, we could conclude that God’s righteousness meant that He is Just, He is Upright, and today we look at God in light of how He operates.

God is not a man, that he might lie,
or a son of man, that he might change his mind.
Does he speak and not act,
or promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19

God does not lie or change His mind. Let’s read that again and ponder on this a bit.

My understanding and perception of “God does not lie” was skewed because I read it with a hope rather than standing firm in truth.

Parents don’t lie.

Friends don’t lie.

A spouse does not lie.

Spiritual leaders don’t lie.

But don’t they? I have hope people do not lie, but don’t they? These are not statements of fact, but expressions of hope that these people possess a quality of honesty. We can not view God the same!

There is a stark contrast between God and man that is unmistakable with such verses as Numbers 23:19. God is NOT human, that He should lie.

Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar, as it is written:
That you may be justified in your words
and triumph when you judge.

Romans 3:4

Let God be true and every human being a liar. When scripture says God does not lie, it is more than a statement that He could lie and chooses not to. The author of Hebrews writes:

so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6:18

It is impossible for God to lie. A more accurate phrase would be God is truth. God does not possess a quality of speaking truth, HE IS THE SOURCE of IT!

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’” (John 14:6)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your [God’s] word is truth.” (John 17:17)

“All your words are true…” (Psalm 119:160)

When we take on this perspective towards God we dramatically shift our understanding of His character and righteousness.

This perspective shift drastically changed my understanding of God’s promises. How could it not? There are four notable verses in scripture that speak about being truth. Three of them also include the word promise. Of those three, two have the word hope.

Fully recognizing God’s identity as a source of truth helps us produce unshakeable hope in His promises. It is not a question of “If” or “whether” He will fulfill His promises. The instant He has spoken, it is truth. Throughout Christ’s time on earth as a man, He spoke, and reality rearranged itself to accommodate.

Be still (Mark 4:39)

Be clean (Matthew 8:3)

Be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)

The centurion recognized this when he told Jesus not to bother coming to his home, but to merely say the words and heal his paralyzed servant (Matthew 8). Paul comforted his captors with the same faith: “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told” (Acts 27:25). Son or daughter of God, the source of truth says that you are loved (John 3:16; Jeremiah 31:3) and you are His (Isaiah 43:1; 1 John 4:6). And as His child, you are never alone (Hebrews 13:5).

Pondering: Do you believe that God is the source of truth? His promises viewed through this lens, become far more than possibilities.

If we are surrendered to God’s will and following in His footsteps, those promises are certainties surer than tomorrow’s sunrise.

Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.”

1 Samuel 15:29

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