Day 72 with David: 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 thing happened in four families. In each case, the father, through a relationship with the Lord, had overcome alcoholism; and 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. Beautiful children in all families, all within my age group, were happy and thriving. But 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 that alcoholism will never happen if you never take that first drink.)

I also remember interesting cases where we would, as a form of entertainment, do makeovers on young ladies within the church. I particularly remember one time involving a young lady who looked completely unkempt. 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. 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 it was the difference between looking like she just came off the streets to looking like a respectable young lady. 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, it was exactly the same as before the makeover.

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

Now, in the first example I gave, you could 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 say about all these cases is that 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. This person did not believe in miracles, saying that they would believe if they could just see one real miracle. And yet that person, themselves, had once been miraculously saved from certain death. This person died a doubter.

On the other hand I know a person who was severely addicted to heroin who—after receiving salvation—never craved heroin again! I know of people who once walked around, hanging their heads, looking like a junkyard dog, who now walk like they are king of the world. And, I’ve seen people, once poor, who now have enough to share with others.

We know by experience that God can and does change people. We also know that a person’s 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.

In our portion from Psalms today 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 some people are so dramatically changed, to the glory of God, 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.

#100dayswithdavid