Something from ... Luther re: God's unchanging word

It often happens that we doubt God's love upon us.  It is easy to believe that God loves us when he is granting us blessing and success.  That love, however, comes into question when we endure hardships, pain, and loss.  When it seems like God has forgotten us or is acting against us, the devil would have us wonder how steadfast God's love actually is.  Did we do something to turn him against us?  Are we no longer in his favor?

For such times, Martin Luther urges Christians to cling to what does not change--God's promises.  Those promises are declared in God's word, and they are firm.  God's favor was sealed on you through holy baptism, and he is always faithful to his promises.  Even though our circumstances change, God is not wishy-washy.  We have that to rely on in good days and especially in bad days.

From Luther:  "Therefore one should hold fast to this comfort, that what God has once declared, this He does not change.  You were baptized, and in Baptism the kingdom of God was promised you.  You should know that this is His unchangeable Word, and you should not permit yourself to be drawn away from it.  For although it can happen--as with those who were on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:28)--that He pretends to want to go farther and seems to be dealing with us as though He had forgotten His promises, faith in the Word must nevertheless be retained, and the promise must be stressed--namely, that it is true and dependable--even if the matter, time, occasion, place, and other particulars are unknown.  For the fact that God cannot lie is sure and dependable." (pp 96-97, Luther's Works: American Edition.  Vol. 4 (Lectures on Genesis, chapters 21-25.)