by Guest Blogger Alisha Plummer
Our country has turned its back on God. End of the line. Dead end. Never coming back.
A spouse, a child, a parent — our relative’s choices have wreaked havoc in our family. Unforgiveable. Irreconcilable. Never again.
We have made mistakes, been told lies, and told ourselves lies. Hopeless. Lost cause. Never good enough.
Those lines encapsulate the human realities of never. But God defines reality, and maybe within the divine realities of never we will uncover the secret of always.
In Zephaniah 3 the prophet compares the LORD to His rebellious people. Among their violent rulers, God stands guiltless. Unlike their treacherous prophets, God is righteous. As compared to their profane priests, God brings justice. His people are failing. But the LORD “never fails” (Zephaniah 3:5).
If the entire Bible could be summed up in three words it may well be: God Never Fails. But in the middle of life these three words are not obvious, even to those of us who love Christ. And yet, we are in good company.
Promise Keeper
The theme of the book of Judges is “every man did what was right in his own eyes.” So it is into anarchy that God said: “I will never break My covenant with you.” (Judges 2:1) And He didn’t. Every promise He kept. He blessed their obedience. He disciplined their rebellion. He rescued them in their repentance. The LORD’s faithfulness was on display to the people of those times as well as to us today.
No matter what November brings. No matter what the doctor says. Regardless of the economy or our retirement. Regardless of the discord in our marriage, family, or nation. He has seen it all before. He has brought about His purposes in times past. Not one of His promises has fallen to the ground, and we can always trust our Lord.
Faithful Lover
The theme of the book of Hosea is that she “went after her lovers; but Me she forgot.” So it is into a Godless society that God said, “I will betroth you to Me forever.” (Hosea 2:19) And He did. As a faithful Lover, the LORD pursued His people to the point of becoming human. In the flesh, Christ kept the betrothal on our behalf. He fulfilled the Law, obeying it both in letter and spirit. He assumed the punishment for our violations of the Law: death and separation from God. The betrothal thus fulfilled He invites us today to come. No matter our circumstances, our mistakes, or our weaknesses. Come drink of the water and know His love — always.
Kind Teacher
The theme of the book of John is, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” So it is into human community that God said: “Whoever believes in Him [shall never] perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:15) And we do. Christ has taught us to know Him. He has introduced us to the Father. He has sent us the Spirit of Truth so that we may know The Truth and discern His reality. Eternal life is ours and that joy and fulfillment surpasses the worries of food, clothing, and shelter. Our present is secure. Our future is eternally safe. Therefore, we live in peace.
Forever Ruler
The theme of book of Daniel is, “the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand…God gave them [Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah] knowledge and skill.” So it is to an exiled and demoralized people that God said: “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44) And it has been. We are its citizens. We are its ambassadors. And we are invited away from human nevers into divine always. Always loved. Always confident. Always strong. Always welcome.
“Please, show me Your glory.” Moses was in the thick of never (Deuteronomy 33:12-34:7). The people were never going trust God or Moses. There was never enough to keep them from complaining. They were never going to make it to the Promised Land. And if they did, they were never going to be strong enough to take it. In the middle of never, Moses turned to God, and the LORD revealed Himself as the God of always. Always merciful and gracious. Always patient and true. Always good and just.
As human never is displaced by the reality of God, never becomes always.
Because God never lies (Titus 1:2), we can always be confident in the truth.
Because our Father never leaves (Hebrews 13:5), we rest assured of His forever love.
Because our Savior will never allow us to perish (John 10:27-28), we always have peace.
Because His Kingship will never end (Daniel 2:44), our hope is eternal.
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” — Matthew 28:20
About Alisha
Alisha is a 30s something, single woman who is passionate about glorifying God and serving others. She is an assistant professor at Northwest University School of PA Medicine, an emergency department physician assistant, and author of Confessions of a Christian Spinster. She is involved in disaster relief, serves with a prison ministry, and writes Bible studies and mystery rooms. A native New Mexican, Alisha enjoys boldering, hiking, and caving, and has a wonderful family, including six nephews, to do these things with her.