“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Words are a means to communicate our needs, wants and feelings. Consider these words:

Always

Never

All

I dare say we use one or more of these commonplace words every day! We toss them around more than a dryer tumbles laundry. These household words are so commonly abused and misused that we over exaggerate them, and undermine their true meaning. These words have lost their value.

The use of these words as they are truly defined indicates something absolute, unmovable, unwavering, consistent and definite.  These are words with no exception. There is no wiggle room with these words. It either is or it isn’t.

We use these words to drive home a point; to emphasize the passion behind our statements; to convince someone that we mean business; to be taken seriously. But deep down we know we are over stating or exaggerating. As a result, I believe the meaning of these words has become diminished in our eyes, and furthermore society has grown accustomed to challenging them. I would go so far as to say that there is a culture of skepticism: not just with being suspicious about man’s words, but doubting God’s Words.

Words that are common and ordinary in the eyes of man, become quite extraordinary when God uses them. God is absolute! He doesn’t mince words or toy with their meaning.

God is a man of His word.

Now re-consider these words:

Always

Never

All

When He says He will NEVER leave me or forsake me, I know He is by my side even if all my friends abandon me; He is by my side as I walk through hardships; He is by my side even if I don’t think so….because HE SAID SO! (Hebrews 13:5).

When He says that ALL things work for my good, I know that means every single event and circumstance that happens in my life whether good or bad (Romans 8:28).  When He says He is with me ALWAYS, I know that He goes with me to work, watches TV with me, rides in my car, and is with me as I write this devotional.  (Mathew 28:20).

I can know these things because I know that EVERY Word in scripture is God-breathed      (2 Timothy 3:16). I can know these things because He is the Word, and He is faithful to fulfill His word.

People may have broken your trust with unfulfilled and empty promises, but God will not. He cannot break His own Word, “My covenant (promise) I will not break, nor alter the Word that has gone out of My lips” (Psalm 89:34).

Just like us, God uses His Words to drive home a point; to show us His passion; to convince us He means business; and all because He wants us to take Him seriously. God’s Word is full of promises to us that are absolute and true. I encourage you to read His Word with a new outlook, and discover what God is saying to you today.

I’m an analyzer and critical thinker. That can be a powerful asset, but it can also complicate things. Sometimes it can backfire, and I can think myself right out of a good thing.

I was re-reading Psalm 91, and this statement really popped out to me, “His faithful promises are our armor.” This put a new spin on putting on the armor of God: I can put on the armor of God by simply believing His promises. This thought hadn’t even landed in my mind good when another thought invaded my mind like a bull in a China shop. Immediately, I began over-thinking what God was trying to teach me. Could I reason myself right out of God’s promises too? Yes, I could. In my spirit I heard God gently say, “So, come to me as a little child.”

What exactly does this mean? It means to simply believe without thinking about it. I teach three year old children. Imagine that I tell the children I’m planning a trip to outer space to visit the moon, and I’m taking them with me. These children will not concern themselves with HOW or WHY or reconsider my offer because they don’t feel deserving. Not only would they believe me, but they would expect me to deliver the goods. Believe and expect. This is the approach we should have with God’s promises: believe & expect.

It is that simplicity of uncomplicated belief that I believe Jesus was referencing in Mathew 18:3. Children just accept what you say at face value without questioning. Yet we can rip something into shreds in two point five seconds with reasoning and doubt. Do you ever think this promise is for her but not me; or surely God doesn’t mean I can be completely healed; or I’m trying to believe but it doesn’t look like my circumstances are changing?

Well, let me tell you something else about children. They would remind me only about a billion times that I promised to take them to outer space. Jesus used a parable in Luke 11 that teaches us how to keep knocking at the door. He wants us to remind Him of His promises. Have you ever wondered why? God doesn’t forget, but it keeps our eyes focused on the prize.

God’s promises are more than a possibility. They are reality, and we can armor ourselves with His promises; believing and expecting every single one when we come to Him as a little child.
Related Scriptures:
Psalm 91 NLT
Luke 18:16-17 TLB
Luke 11:5-13 TLB
Mathew 7:7 TLB
Mathew 18:2-4

Use the link below to view this, and devotions by other authors on “Your Daily Bread”

Your Daily Bread-Come As a Child