Never say “never” because “never” ever happens.
Genesis 8:20-22
We’ve all heard the saying that “the only sure thing in life is death and taxes“.
If we use that phrase, it’s usually because we’re reconciling ourselves to the happenstance nature of life. It’s really an acknowledgement that we have very little, if any, control over things that happen around us.
Sure, we can make decisions ourselves, like going to the grocery store when we want to or deciding to watch one more episode of the current “binge-worthy” TV show that we’re streaming. But, in the end, we’re basically throwing our hands up and saying “I got nothing.”
As Christians, we should understand that while the gist of the saying is correct, it’s not a complete list of the certainties of life. There’s one more thing that should be added to the list and it’s based on the following reality…
“But God…”
Today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. Bible verse tells the historical account of Noah and how his faithfulness gave humankind a second chance. He and his family, along with a pair of all living things, floated around in a homemade ship, the ark, until God made the waters recede. Then, after every living thing had been destroyed, except for who and what was on that ship, God said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”
Aren’t you glad that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God?
All I can think of to say is… “Noah is the man!”
Speaking of the word “never”, can you imagine the ridicule that Noah and his family went through while he was building the ark?
I’m sure he heard things like, “It ain’t never gonna rain.” Or, “Have you lost your mind? You ain’t never gonna need that thing.”
Sound familiar?
We get some of that today when our acts of faith or words of praise are seen by others. They (the world) think our beliefs are foolishness.
“But God…”
Today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. takeaway is this: Pray to be reminded that in addition to death and taxes, God keeps His promises. He has made a place for you in heaven.
So, let’s get back to the certainties of life… The new phrase should be: “The only sure thing in life is death, taxes, and God’s faithfulness to keep His promises.”
As Christians, we should live by those. We know that we’re going to die, but God… promises that if we accept His son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, that upon our death, which is one of the three certainties in life, we’ll live with Him in all of eternity.
As for the other one – paying your taxes, probably not. That one’s on you.
Genesis 8:20-22
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”