100 Days with David 2025 Day 72: Sadly, some people will never change; but, you don’t have to be one of them.

100 Days with David 2025

Day 72: Sadly, some people will never change; but, you don’t have to be one of them.

“He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When I was a youth, I remember four specific times—over a period of a few years—where the same tragic thing happened in four families. In each case, the father, through a relationship with the Lord, had overcome alcoholism. Sadly, in each case, they relapsed to the ruin of their families.

I remember how happy the families were during the time of their fathers’ sobriety. The beautiful children in all these families, all within my age group, were happy and thriving.

However, after the relapses, in each case, the result was devastation of the family. In one of the cases there was a divorce. In the other three, marital misery and early deaths of the fathers resulted. In all of the cases, the children were greatly, negatively impacted . (Now, this is not a commentary on alcoholism or social drinking. But I will say, alcoholism will never happen if you never take that first drink.)

I also remember an interesting case involving a beauty makeover: As a form of entertainment, we would do makeovers on young ladies within the church. One time, a young lady who looked completely unkempt was the “guinea pig.” Indeed, she looked and acted like she gave no thought to her appearance, not even in terms of cleanliness. After she received the makeover, everyone marveled at how beautiful she looked. She was nearly unrecognizable as the same person. Now, it’s not a matter of saying that wearing make up or having fancy hairdos is better than going natural; it’s a matter of the fact that she went from looking as though she just came in off the streets to looking like a respectable young woman. Seeing the amazing metamorphosis, we just knew that after she had seen herself like this, she would make some effort to keep it up. But lo and behold, the next time we saw her, she looked exactly the same as before the makeover.

And then there’s the cases of poor people who have won great sums of money, only to return to poverty. Sadly, the rate at which these individuals fall back into poverty, is staggering.

Now, in the first example I gave, you might say that addiction played a part in the recidivism, and that is true. In the second case, you could say perhaps self-esteem issues and possible abuse issues, kept the young woman from caring about the way she looked and carried herself. In the third case, you could say that these people returned to poverty because they had no knowledge of how to manage money.

What we can confidently say about all these cases is, a change in circumstances, did not change the inside of the individuals. At least, it wasn’t a change that lasted.

I clearly remember one individual saying something when I was younger that shocked me. This person was a pastor who apparently did not believe what they preached. They did not believe in miracles, expressing the same more than once in my hearing. They said that they would believe only if they could see just one real miracle. And yet, that person had once been miraculously saved from certain death. This person died a doubter.

Then, there’s a person who was severely addicted to heroin, who—after coming to faith—never craved heroin again!

I have known people who once walked around, hanging their heads, looking like a junkyard dog, who came to walk like they were king of the world. And, I’ve seen people, once poor as a result of a lack of initiative, who are now productive people and have enough to share with others.

We know by experience that God can and does change people. We also know that a person’s individual will can definitely be a stumbling block to the process of change. One of my favorite scriptures gives this exhortation:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

My daddy used to sing a song called, “It’s Different Now.” Part of it went: “It’s different now, since Jesus saved my soul; it’s different now, since by His blood I’m whole. Old Satan had to flee, when Jesus rescued me. Now it’s different, oh, so different now.”

The Lord can make the difference in our lives, bringing lasting change; but we must cooperate. We must be convinced of the finished work of the cross and the sanctifying power in the blood of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we must submit our will to the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us into newness of life as we walk in obedience to Him.

In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see David’s commentary on his enemies. He makes the determination that they have set themselves against God and will not change. Also, he declares that their reticence to change, will lead to their destruction.

On this side of eternity, we may never fully understand why, to the glory of God, some people are so dramatically changed, while others, either refuse to change, or fail to stay changed. But, if we are willing and obedient, the Lord will help us to not be counted in the number of those who refuse change.

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

Sadly, some people will never change; but, you don’t have to be one of them.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!