The Times, They Are A-Changin’ — But God Is Not Finished

by Nellie O'Hara

Have you ever had the feeling that you are living in a moment in history when everything is changing at once? Not just one thing. Everything.

The culture is changing. Values are changing. Families are changing. Leadership is changing. Technology is accelerating at a pace we can barely comprehend. What was considered unacceptable yesterday can become normal today. What was once considered truth can suddenly be questioned, dismissed, or rewritten.

And sometimes, when I look at what is happening around us, I find myself thinking, “What in the world is happening?” Then I remember a song that almost everyone seemed to know when I was younger:“The Times They Are A-Changin’.”

Bob Dylan captured something in those words that resonated with an entire generation. But here we are again. The times are changing. Only this time, I believe something deeper is happening.

The times are not simply changing. The times are accelerating.

And while many people are looking at the darkness and wondering if we are watching the end of an era—or even the end times—I keep hearing something different in my spirit: This is not the end of the story.

I believe the times can change again.

I believe values can be restored.

I believe truth can rise again.

I believe families can be strengthened again.

I believe leaders who genuinely care about their people can rise again.

And I believe the Church can rise into the hour for which she was born.

Because there is one thing we must never forget: The times may be changing, but God is not.

“For I am the LORD, I do not change.”Malachi 3:6 NKJV

When Values Begin to Disappear

There was a time when there were certain values that were generally understood, whether someone was a Christian or not.

Truth mattered.

Integrity mattered.

Keeping your word mattered.

Respect for others mattered.

Family mattered.

Taking responsibility mattered.

There was an understanding that leaders were supposed to serve the people they represented.

But today, we can look around and wonder, what happened to our moral compass?

Scripture warned us that there would be seasons when society would experience profound moral confusion.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money... unthankful, unholy... without self-control... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:1–4 NKJV

Paul's warning sounds remarkably relevant to our generation.

There are leaders who genuinely care about the people they lead. There are leaders who sacrifice, serve, listen, and try to make wise decisions for the good of others. And then there are those who seem to have forgotten that leadership is a responsibility rather than a position of power.

Scripture gives us a different picture of leadership.

“For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.”Isaiah 9:16 NKJV

Leadership matters.

The decisions made by those in authority matter.

The values of a nation matter.

And what we tolerate eventually shapes the culture around us.

When Truth Becomes Relative

One of the greatest battles of our generation is the battle over truth. We are living in a time when people can be told that truth is whatever they decide it should be.

But Jesus said something radically different,“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”John 8:32 NKJV

Truth is not merely an opinion. Truth has a foundation.

Jesus also declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”John 14:6 NKJV

When truth is removed, confusion takes its place. When righteousness is rejected, lawlessness increases. When God's standards are abandoned, society eventually loses its moral compass. That is why the Church cannot afford to become silent. We are called to stand for truth—not with arrogance, but with courage and love.

What If We Are Watching a Transition?

I have been thinking about something lately. What if the changing of the times is not only about the deterioration we see around us? What if God is also preparing us for another change?

Because throughout Scripture, God has changed times and seasons.

Daniel declared, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.”Daniel 2:21 NKJV

Think about that. He changes the times and the seasons. That means the season we are currently experiencing is not the final word. The cultural climate is not the final word. The decisions of leaders are not the final word. The condition of society is not the final word.

God remains sovereign.

Psalm 75 reminds us that promotion and authority ultimately come from God.

“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge.”Psalm 75:6–7 NKJV

This should give us tremendous hope.

God has not surrendered His authority over the earth.

I Keep Hearing Something in My Heart

This is where my faith begins to rise. Because while I can see the darkness, I also keep hearing something in my heart, "The times will change again."

I believe there is coming a time when we will see a restoration of values.

A time when truth will matter again.

A time when integrity will be honoured.

A time when people will recognize that freedom carries responsibility.

A time when families will become important again.

A time when leaders will understand that leadership is about serving people—not simply controlling them. And most importantly,

A time when people will once again recognize their need for God.

I am not saying we should ignore the seriousness of the times. Quite the opposite!

Jesus told His disciples to recognize the times and remain spiritually awake.

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”Mark 13:33 NKJV

We need to be awake. We need to discern. We need to pray. We need to know the Word of God. We need to teach our children what is true. We need to refuse to allow the culture to determine our values.

We also need to remember that God has never been intimidated by a dark generation.

Light Shines Best in Darkness

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”Matthew 5:14 NKJV

Notice that He did not say, “You are the light when everything around you is good.” He said, “You are the light of the world.” Light has a purpose because darkness exists.

John gives us an even greater picture:

“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”John 1:5 NKJV

Darkness does not overcome light. Light overcomes darkness.

Perhaps this is why we have been born into this particular generation.

Maybe we were not called to complain about the darkness.

Maybe we were called to carry light into it.

Maybe we were not placed here accidentally.

Maybe God knew exactly what this generation would face—and He knew exactly who He would place in it.

We Have a Choice

We cannot control everything happening in the world. But we can control what we allow to happen in our own hearts.

We can choose truth.

We can choose integrity.

We can choose forgiveness.

We can choose courage.

We can choose righteousness.

We can choose to honor God when honoring God is no longer popular.

We can choose what we speak.

We can choose what we celebrate.

We can choose what we teach our children.

And we can choose to pray.

Joshua challenged God's people with a choice.

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”Joshua 24:15 NKJV

Every generation has a choice.

Every family has a choice.

Every individual has a choice.

And our choices matter.

Our assignment is not to predict every change. Our assignment is to remain faithful through the changes.

The Times May Be Changing—But God Is Not

That may be the most important thing I want to say.

The times are changing. But God is not.

His Word is not changing.

His character is not changing.

His promises are not changing.

His purposes are not changing.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

So when everything around us seems unstable, we have somewhere stable to stand.

When values seem to disappear, we can stand on truth.

When leaders disappoint us, we can remember who the ultimate King is.

When the future seems frightening, we can remember that God already sees the future.

And when we wonder whether our nations can change, we can remember that God can change times and seasons.

I Believe We Will See Another Change

So perhaps one day, people will look back at this generation and say, “The times were changing.”

But perhaps they will also say, “And then something changed again.”

Perhaps they will see that prayer mattered.

That people stood.

That families rebuilt.

That truth was restored.

That righteousness rose again.

That leaders with integrity emerged.

That young people found their identity.

That the Church woke up.

That people who had walked away from God came home.

That revival came.

That values were restored.

That hope returned.

Why do I believe change is possible?

Because Scripture tells us God responds to His people.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

There is a biblical pattern here: Humility. Prayer. Seeking God. Repentance. Healing.

Perhaps the answer to a changing culture is not simply another political solution. Perhaps the deeper answer is a people turning back to God.

I Refuse to Give Darkness the Final Word

I don't know exactly what the future will look like.

But I know this: I refuse to believe that darkness gets the final word.

I believe God is still moving.

I believe He is still raising up people who will stand for truth.

I believe He is still raising up leaders who will serve rather than exploit.

I believe He is still restoring families.

I believe He is still calling His Church to wake up.

I believe He is still drawing prodigals home.

And I believe He can change the times again.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.”Isaiah 60:1 NKJV

Notice the command:

Arise.

Not hide.

Not retreat.

Not surrender.

Arise.

The Story Is Not Over

So yes... The times, they are a-changin’. But let's remember something greater:

God changes times and seasons.

Perhaps we are not simply watching the end of something.

Perhaps we are standing at the beginning of something new.

Perhaps God is preparing a generation that will value truth again.

Perhaps He is raising up leaders who understand that authority is a responsibility.

Perhaps He is awakening the Church.

Perhaps He is restoring families.

Perhaps He is calling His people to stand in the gap for their nations.

Perhaps the darkness we see is actually creating an opportunity for the light of Christ to shine brighter than ever.

Jesus said:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:16 NKJV

So let our light shine.

Let us pray.

Let us stand.

Let us speak truth.

Let us live our values.

Let us teach the next generation.

Let us refuse to surrender our hope.

And let us believe that the God who changed the times before can change the times again.

The story is not over.

Nellie O'Hara is a CSA ministry leader and has extensive ministry experience.

She is a teacher, prophet and spiritual mentor, teaching and mentoring in spiritual gifts and intercession.

Nellie is a pastor with Shiloh Webchurch.

Nellie is a regular contributor to Elijah List and Spirit Fuel.