Never

Isaiah 54:10 TPT Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken, says the Lord God, my love and compassion will never give up on you.

Never is one of the most powerful words in the English language. Even more powerful than “no”, since no applies to the moment, a specific situation or subject, while saying “never” sets the tone for the future and everything to come. Never is defined as: not ever, at no time or under any condition. It is an absolute “line in the sand”.

In the normal course of life, we often make statements about what we will always do or never do. These statements, while well meaning, often create a boundary in our life that shields God from working in that area. It might be as harmless as, ‘I will never move from this area’ or ‘I will always drive this type of car’ but it is saying to God ‘hands off that part of my life. I am capable of making my own choices and decisions in this area.’ Our words are powerful and Proverbs 18:21 reminds us “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

God also knows the power of the word never, which is why He says it repeatedly in making promises to us about our relationship with Him and our future. Only God has the ability to say “never” and actually live up to His word. God has provided us a way to escape judgement through the sacrifice of Jesus—God says, “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst,” “he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty;” “If a man keeps my word, he will never see death;” “I know my sheep. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” He says, “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Never leaves no wiggle room. It doesn’t leave space to change your mind, reconsider or have second thoughts. Our view of life is circumstantial, based only what we have experienced and what we expect. God sees the past, present and future and can confidentially stand by His “never” statements because His words are not based on circumstances but on His character. Malachi 3:6 states: “I am the Lord, and I do not change”. Malachi is not speaking of God’s actions because they do change (the Israelites won battles in many different ways, Jesus healed by many different ways) but God’s character, who He is, does not change. He is victorious, He is our healer, He is good, He is faithful, He is love.

God’s “nevers” are to be an anchor for our souls. When everything around us is churning, unstable, and unpredictable; God’s never promises bring a security, peace, rest, and confidence that can only be described as surpassing all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Isaiah 43:2 “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” That is God’s never promise to you and me but to fully understand and experience requires deep waters and fire. It is there that God’s never promises are real.

Thank you Father God for your never promises and your faithfulness. May our heart pursue a deep, intimate relationship with you that is based on your never promises.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To subscribe email: info@livingoaksministry.com                                  Copyright 2024 Living Oaks Ministry

Gary and Sandy Anthony

Psalms 27:17 TPT Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!

John 4:14 TPT Anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never be thirsty again. For when you drink the water I give you, it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, flooding you with endless life!

John 6:35 NLT Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 8:51 TPT I speak to you this eternal truth: whoever cherishes my words and keeps them will never experience death.

John 10:27-28 TPT My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and they will follow me. I give to them the gift of eternal life and they will never be lost and no one has the power to snatch them out of my hands.

Hebrews 13:5 NLT For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.

Lamentations 3:22 -23 NLT The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Luke 1:37 NLT For the word of God will never fail.

Psalms 55:22 NIV Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalms 121:4 TPT He will never slumber nor sleep; he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel.

Romans 11:29 TPT And when God chooses someone and graciously imparts gifts to him, they are never rescinded.

James 1:17 NLT Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Psalms 111:3 NLT Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.

John 1:5 NLT The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Jeremiah 32:40 NLT And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.

John 6:37 TPT But everyone my Father has given to me, they will come. And all who come to me, I will embrace and will never turn them away.

2 Timothy 2:13 TPT But even if we are faithless, he will still be full of faith, for he never wavers in his faithfulness to us!

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Genesis 28:15 TPT Never forget—I am always with you and will protect you wherever you go. And one day I will bring you back to this land, for I will never leave you nor fail to fulfill every word I have promised you.