Persuading God

I know God does not change; that His word and being are eternally immutable. That’s why I’m struck by stories in which He appears to change His mind, as if He can sometimes be persuaded to alter plans He’s been very clear about.

It happens in the book of Judges right after the Israelites have gone off to serve other gods again. There’s no ambiguity in His intention to let them fend for themselves, but He folds after hearing their pleas anyway.

Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will no longer deliver you. Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” The sons of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to You; only please deliver us this day.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord; and He could bear the misery of Israel no longer. - Judges‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭

There’s also 2 Kings 20, when Hezekiah begs Him for help after he’s told he won’t recover. Again, plans change after hearing a sincere plea of repentance.

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. - 2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭5

I get how this is all reconciled. It’s God’s nature that doesn’t change. His expressed plans in response to our actions are a different matter. Fine.

What’s harder for me to understand is why some people have better luck persuading Him than I do. I guess that very statement assumes the pain in my life is being orchestrated by Him, or at least permitted to occur. But sovereignty is another part of His nature, so I don’t see how that’s unfair to believe.

I realize He doesn’t owe me anything. It’s just hard seeing so many examples in Scripture and not getting to experience it myself. Maybe I should be praying for more realistic expectations instead.