We read also in Hebrews 13, where the Lord was speaking about their leaders who had spoken to them the Word of God, and He has to add that little word, “Whose faith follow.” My father often used to say, “Remember, it does not say, ‘Whose failures follow.’” We do see failures in ourselves, and perhaps in one another as well, and sometimes we follow someone else who has done something wrong. But it says, “Whose faith follow.” And then it tells us about One who never fails. So, after telling us that we could imitate the faith of those who had sought to instruct us in the things of God, He points us again to this unchangeable Friend, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (vs. 8). Surely, brethren, when we think of this, it is so encouraging to our hearts.
I believe it is so important not only to know this blessed One, but to realize that He has laid down in His Word all that we need for our pathway. We are living in a world of constant change. I suppose if we looked back 50 years ago, none of us would have arrived here at these general meetings in the same way that we did today; some arrived by plane; some arrived by car. It is a changing world. But let us remember that moral and spiritual values do not change. That is, God has certain standards that He has established in His precious Word, and it gives us peace. We know this unchanging Friend that we have and that the counsel He gives us does not have to be brought up to date. Anyone working in the business world today knows very well that the planning and the way things are done are constantly being changed. New bulletins are being issued about changes all the time. But isn’t it lovely that we can take up a book like this and know that although the last part was written over 1900 years ago, it is still perfectly up to date? It does not have to be brought up to date. It is suited to us.
G. H. Hayhoe