ALWAYS and NEVER
ALWAYS and NEVER are pretty strong words, wouldn’t you agree?
Many times, ALWAYS and NEVER tend to be included in disputable statements.
These words tend to make statements that are not 100% true.
The truth in the statement becomes untrue when ALWAYS or NEVER is added to them.
ALWAYS and NEVER are sometimes inserted as “fighting words.”
I have learned not to use ALWAYS and NEVER when in an argument because it invalidates the statement, which only pours gas on the discussion.
Here are a few examples.
“You NEVER answer my texts quickly.”
“You ALWAYS cancel our plans.”
“You NEVER do what you say you are going to do.”
“You ALWAYS say the wrong thing at the wrong time.”
Are you catching my drift?
Take a look at these statements, and simply remove the words, ALWAYS and NEVER—the power of statements withers when those strong words are removed.
However, with God, using the words ALWAYS and NEVER provides us clarity, and peace and brings us into a place of blessing.
His promises, character, and THE truth are ALWAYS 100% true and NEVER change because we have an unchanging God!
Psalm 1 contrasts those who follow God’s ways and those who choose their own path.
I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Psalm 1!
When we follow God’s ways, we are obedient to Him.
The chapter then tells us what He promises us when we live obedient lives next to Him.
“He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of his life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.” Psalm 1:3 TPT (emphasis mine)
“You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” Psalm 1:3 MSG (emphasis mine)
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:3 NLT (emphasis mine)
Pretty reassuring, right?
Today and always, let’s choose to be those people who follow God’s ways and desire to be obedient to Him.
Because He promises His obedient children will ALWAYS bear fresh fruit, to be ever blessed, to be ever prosperous.
He also promises those of us who choose to be obedient to Him that we will NEVER be dry, NEVER be faint and NEVER wither.
I like these promises.
I hope you do too.
Let’s be obedient together.
Let’s claim these truths and promises from our LORD and Savior because they are specifically for you and me!
They are unchanging, ALWAYS true.
And that will NEVER change.
