Never Forsaken

The word, bread has become a slang for money, in many parts of the English speaking world. We hear people talking of needing bread, or not having enough bread to buy the things they want. Yes, money is still associated with the word bread and it is in this context that we shall follow a trail of exhortations.

Before we begin our trail walk, however, let’s settle a few facts.

Bread is one of the most common foods. Earlier in the week, it was stated that bread was a most common, stable food in the time of Jesus. Bread, in its simplest or most exotic forms is still a common food. Now it is a known fact that money is needed to buy bread, so that without money, bread can’t be purchased and people go hungry. The greatest single reason why many people today are starving around us and in the wider world, is because they are poor. Poor, means that they have no money. Having no money, means no bread, and it is still one of the chief reasons why people worry, become anxious, desperate and turn to a life of stealing and doing other unlawful things to get, bread. Some even resort to begging as their only means of getting bread.

Jesus obviously had a really good idea of how food or the lack of food, could adversely affect the minds and lives of people. He knows how people can become all anxious, worried and totally stressed about food for example. In speaking to His disciples, this is what He said. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6: 25. Note carefully our Lord’s understanding of the physical and His command, not just advice, but command not to worry about bread, which is money also, because life is more than food or money.

Interestingly, and most curiously so, I may add, we know the NEVER words of Father God who says to His people, I will never leave you nor forsake you. But do we know from where these words spring? The truth is that I am most unfamiliar and ignorant of the words which led to the hold up of this NEVER promise of God. Listen to the text, as we slowly and deliberately are led through this most marvellous and astounding walk. It is a walk with our Holy Guide and Guard, which changes us with the first step we make.

Leaning on the Holy Spirit, He who alone can change us, as we begin, we proceed, not in caution, but in celebration of all that is taking place in us and will take place in us. We celebrate a God who is truly our Loving, Heavenly Father. Our trail is on the path and in the walk of Hebrews 13: 5 – 6, where Paul is giving some final words of exhortation to the Church. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

If you and I are the Church - collectively and individually - we must admit that although our experiences, conditions and situations are vastly different, our responses must be wholly the same. We must live as, NEVER, children of the Father. We must respond to Him and not what this life throws at us. We must live as children of a God who delights in NEVER.

Bread or money, is not our life in Christ. Contentment is not worrying about bread, running after money, killing one’s self trying to accumulate enough for the future, or even trying to secure a future for your children. That is to love money or bread, more than your heavenly Father who tells you that He will take care of you. Bread or money, then becomes your idol, and that definitely displeases God.

Before us, are some things we must do, some responses we must make, if we trust God as Father and believe His NEVER promises to us. This is what you are EVER to do, because of what your heavenly Father NEVER would do.

Ever keep your life free from the love of money – To love money is to worship it and that is idolatry. You cannot serve God and money.
Ever be content with what you have – To live with discontent about your money or bread is to live a life without Christ. To live with Christ is gain and to gain Him is contentment.

How is this possible? Why is this possible? It is possible for any human being, in his or her mortal flesh. It is possible for you, for our Father who is in Heaven, has promised you that:-

Never will He leave you.

Never will He forsake you.

Has He not given you Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ your Lord? Has He not given you His Precious Holy Spirit, to indwell you and be with you always? Check what there is, has always been and will always be for you! Have you received? Then in the midst of whatever your circumstances, this hour, this day, this season in your life, complete this trail walk, joining with confidence, knowing, showing and professing, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. Amen!