The Bible Edge
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Habakkuk 1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
While the word “change” is used over twenty times in the Bible, this is the only verse that uses the word change in relation to one’s mind. Habakkuk, the prophet of God, was speaking of the Chaldeans and their future conquest of Judah. For the purpose of our devotion, let’s think about the idea of changing one’s mind.
Sometimes God changes His mind. That’s true. At least three times the Word of God says that the Lord God repented. Since it is impossible for God to sin, for God is Holy, the word repent in relation to God is not repentance from sin, but rather a change of mind, which, by the way, is the purest and simplest definition of the word repent. If God changes His mind sometimes, perhaps we should too. The biggest room in the entire world is the room for improvement. To improve something must be changed, and that change starts in the mind. Our Father in Heaven has given us the ability to search out a matter, think about it, get counsel on the matter in question, study the Word of God about it, and then, if needed, change our mind.
Dr. B.G. Buchanan preached a message years ago at our church entitled, “If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.” How true. Someone once said that “Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is insanity.” How true. Change is a necessary and vital tool to use in carving out a life pleasing to God. There are things that our mind must be changed about and there are things about which our minds must never change. May God grant us the wisdom to know the difference.
Note: In passing, Habakkuk is the first to record …the just shall live by his faith (2:4). Paul quotes this statement three times: Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. The only way to live by faith is by a change of mind. Amazingly, the only reference about a change of mind is given to us by the first prophet to tell us that the just shall live by faith. Interesting.
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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