Immutable

Notes

As an infinite and absolute Being, self-existent and absolutely independent, God is exalted above all the causes of and even above the possibility of change. Infinite space and infinite duration cannot change. They must ever be what they are. So God is absolutely immutable in his essence and attributes. He can neither increase nor decrease. He is subject to no process of development, or of self-evolution. His knowledge and power can never be greater or less. He can never be wiser or holier, or more righteous or more merciful than He ever has been and ever must be. He is no less immutable in his plans and purposes. Infinite in wisdom, there can be no error in their conception; infinite in power, there can be no failure in their accomplishment.

Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Henderson Publishers, 2001. Vol I, Part I, Ch V, §7

The imagery of a rock conveys many things, but most vivid of all is its immutable nature. Wars come and go, countries rise and fall, and all the world changes from one century to the next. But not the rock. It is not thwarted, it does not vacillate. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In but a small way, that rock is like God; he does not change. Come what may, this God remains the same. He is firm and secure, always there, never fluctuating, incapable of defeat, and forever steadfast as a fortress to those in trouble.

David fled from King Saul. Filled with envy, Saul tracked David relentlessly, like an assassin on a mission to eliminate his target. Fleeing for his life, David turned time and time again to caves, hidden deep in the heart of a rock, because he found them to be impenetrable. On one occasion, David praises the Lord for delivering him from his enemies, Saul included, and he sings,

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. (2 Sam. 22:2–3)

For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God? (22:32)

Repeatedly in the Psalms, David addresses God as his rock, a title that identifies where the source and assurance of his salvation are to be found:

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Ps. 62:2)

On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God. (62:7)

Barrett, Matthew. None Greater, The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Baker Books, 2019., Ch 7

Bible References

[19] God is not man, that he should lie,
  or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
  Has he said, and will he not do it?
  Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)

[11] The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
  the plans of his heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11 ESV)

[6] “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6 ESV)

[17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)