Never say never. I don’t know about you guys, but I use the word NEVER. It’s a definitive phrase, leaving no question about the intentions of the speaker. I’m a user, sometimes a lot. I almost said always! Never is a little heavy handed, isn’t it? You can almost see the fist to the surface, can’t you? As I was doing some remembering yesterday, I had to smile at some of the nevers that have now become my realities. I can’t help but think that God is giving me a little side-eyed look with the corners of his mouth turned into the slightest smile saying to me, Beth, who’s in charge? Duh?!
There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER leave. There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER go. There have been things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER eat (i.e. tomatoes, avacadoes, beets). There are things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER do, say, think, believe, and the list goes on and on. We are a people who like to make our own declarations and think we’re in charge. We are a people who oft times forget Whose we are, and Who is in charge. So, we tool through life making these bold NEVER statements. Only to have God give us a wink when our NEVERS become realities.
Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
His paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that He should repay them?
For of him and through him and to him are all things.
To God be the glory forever! Amen
Romans 11:33-36
These verses, once I understood them fully, are just magnificent – well, actually, they were magnificent before I understood them, I just didn’t understand them. These would be a great prayer to commit to memory. It’s hard to believe they’re from Romans. They are so expressive and poetic, they flow like the Psalms. Brother Paul was just as truthful and plain speaking as King David.
Paul declares God’s wisdom and knowledge. It is so deep, so rich, so overflowing, so abundant, and so full! We know the ultimate plan would be salvation for all, should they choose it, but we cannot comprehend his manifest wisdom in working out His plan or that salvation, especially through us. Most times we set our own course, don’t we? We make plans, and sometimes those things we said we’d NEVER do are the exact things we do, right? Here’s the thing, me digging my heels in and saying NEVER, in absolutely any situation in my life is pompousness on my part. Like I get to make plans without consulting God? Let’s make this relatable.
Beth, who do you think you are? Do you know what God’s thinking? Who are we to give Him advice? Do you know God’s plan?
Can anyone tell the LORD what to do? Who can teach him or give him advice?
Isaiah 40:13
Beth, what have you ever given to God that God should repay you? Well, when you put it that way…nothing. Nothing at all. He has bestowed such grace and mercy on such a worm as I. He doesn’t give us what we deserve. He doesn’t give us what He should repay us, and it’s a very good thing.
“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Luke 17:7-10
Beth, of Him, through Him and to Him are all things. There is nothing we can give to God because it is all already His.
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
Acts 17:24-25
To Him be the glory. To Him be all praise. To Him be the glory forever. He deserves our praise and adoration. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We have no right to say NEVER if he tells us different. We don’t have to understand His ways. He is God. We simply obey His lead.