Growing up with a dad who was a research scientist and chemical engineer, I occasionally found things in our garage one wouldn’t consider a standard household item. One of these was a little jar of silver fluid curiously heavy for its size. I recall playing with it and pouring some of it in my hand. It would puddle with perfect cohesion and roll rapidly around in my palm. It had the appearance of molten metal, but was not hot… and to a science geek like me, it was extremely cool! I took it to school one day to show my friends, and they thought so, too.
Of course, that the heavy silver liquid was mercury. I had no idea of the health risks associated with mercury exposure at the time. Simply inhaling mercury vapors can damage the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys! (Yes, I really did play with at least one neurotoxin as a kid.)
It is so unique in its qualities that we recognize mercury as an element (atomic number 80 on the periodic scale). As the only common metal that remains liquid at room temperature, mercury has also been known by the name of quicksilver.
From the word mercury we derive the word mercurial, which generally describes a person given to swift and unpredictable change, whether of mind or mood. Have you even known anyone like that? Someone who’s as hard to nail down as the liquid metal? That characteristic wouldn’t exactly describe someone you can depend on, would it? In fact, antonyms of mercurial include unchangeable and reliable.
The Bible tells us to avoid people given to change (Proverbs 24:21 NKJV). Sadly, Scripture describes the Israelites as fickle, and not as a term of endearment. They constantly provoked God by their unfaithfulness and turning to idols. Israel repeatedly forgot what He had promised them and all the mighty works He had done on their behalf. Many among the fickle crowds that followed Jesus offered praise as He entered Jerusalem. But just days later they joined those who cried, “Crucify him!” Jesus knew human nature and wisely chose not to entrust Himself to them (John 2:24). People are easily swayed and unreliable; that’s why the Bible tells us to never put our trust in them (Psalm 146:3).
Thankfully, we serve a God who isn’t at all like that. We read in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 assures us, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. We can trust God, and we can trust what He has said, because we also read, Forever O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). James 1:17 reminds us, All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change (NET). Not only can we depend on God never shifting in His love for us or distancing Himself from His promises, but we can expect His help to manifest the stable, trustworthy, and faithful character of Jesus in our relationships with others!
