Could Never Really Be True?

I remember back in elementary school the teachers gave us a tip to help us identify the correct answer when faced with multiple choices. The rule of thumb was that you can eliminate answers containing never and always because there were rarely cases that this would be true.

I grew up hearing never say never and I can say that I found myself doing or saying some things I thought I would never do or say. Heard people say they would never leave, never betray, never stop loving only to have never arrive so soon. Despite their or my own lack of ability to live up to the never(s) we honestly wish never to do, there is one that speaks never and His word holds true.

But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalms 33:11 (NLT)

For the LORD loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish. Psalm 37:28(NLT)

Nobody Likes Me

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me. Think I’ll go eat worms!
Those are the lines of a children’s nursery rhyme or song my younger sister would sing when she wasn’t getting her way or she felt like she was being left out. The other day I was reading a passage in Psalm where David was expressing  similar sentiments.

I look for someone to come and help me but no one gives me a  passing thought!

No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.

Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say,  You are my place of refuge.

You are all I really want in life.

Psalm 142:4-5

There has been times I’ve felt alone and it’s comforting to know that even King David, a man after God’s own heart found himself in the same position. Live long enough and you’re bound to find yourself disappointed by another human.  (Not to mention how we disappoint others) Somebody, some where didn’t show up at some time or in some way you expected but there is One who is always available.

You’re never alone or without help!

Never Forsaken ~ Part 2

Still feasting off the word "not forsaken" from yesterday. When you feel that you've been left without support, without protection, without adequate help, you fall into despair, which is a state of hopelessness (often manifested by depression). Hopelessness leads to no expectation of something other than what you already have. No expectancy leads to no envision of a better state of being. If I can't envision better, I'm unable to lay hold of better. For the scripture says in Proverbs 29:18a where there is no vision, the people perishes-waste away, die, disappear gradually or to pass from existence.

Never Forsaken

This morning  Bishop Eddie Long's song Righteous Forsaken was playing in my head. I hear the Spirit of the God saying I never forsake my people. Yet the enemy would have us to believe that we're forsaken.  Forsake is defined as to renounce or turn away from entirely; to leave without intending to return. The word forsake  is synonymous with the word abandon, which means to give up the control or influence of to another person or agent; to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment; to withdraw protection, support, or help; to give oneself over unrestrained; to cease from maintaining, practicing, or use.

I imagine one would be hard pressed to find anybody who hasn't felt forsaken or abandoned by someone in life. However, God promises to never forsake or abandon us. While researching scriptures that contained the word forsake, I noticed that there were times  when God momentarily withdrew Himself from His people due to their sin but He never turned away without the intent to return. Some  times parents leave, boyfriends/girlfriends leave, siblings leave, and/or friends leave but we didn't foresee them ceasing to maintain the relationship. Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. (The Message)

Scriptures for reflection:

• Psalm 9:10 And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]. (Amplified)
• Psalm 37:24 I once was young, now I'm a graybeard—  not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets.  (The Message)
• Ezra 9:9 For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead, he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably. He revived us so we could rebuild the Temple of our God and repair its ruins. He has given us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem. (NLT)
• Isaiah 54:7 I rejected you for a while, but with love and tenderness I will embrace you again.
• Psalm 27:10 Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]

Not being forsaken doesn't mean that we will not experience hard times or reap the rewards of some bad decisions but that our ultimate end is one where we are PROTECTED, SUPPORTED, HELPED and NEAR our FAITHFUL God.