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Never – Numbers 6:24-26

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  1. Never – Numbers 6:24-26

    Numbers 6:24–26

  2. There are certain words that conjure up thoughts in our minds just soon as we hear them – some of them positive, others negative. Think about your first response when you hear these words: recession, cancer, foreclosure, bankrupt. Or think of some other words: debt-free, remission, I do. We won.

  3. Here’s another word – what’s your first thought – NEVER. It’s the word that can stir the deepest fear in the bravest heart.

  4. [excurses]

  5. If the nevers of life are discouraging you, if you’ve waited for the Lord to fulfill His promises to you, if you wonder why God has allowed such a lengthy delay in answering the deepest cries of your heart— it is my prayer that as we look to Scripture today that you will see that these negative nevers can be defeated. Though you don’t see Him working right now, you can know for certain that He is because He guarantees in Isaiah 64:4 that : Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah also writes in Isaiah 40:31: “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” [don’t give up]

    Isaiah 64:4

  6. So as we think about that word never, let us look at some of the promises of God. To do this we want to examine a very popular Scripture often used as a benediction or final word in church services or at funerals to inspire hope.

  7. Numberts 6: 24-26:  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

  8. Archaeology find [excurses]

  9. Let’s examine what this passage reveals to us about our Father in heaven and how He turns negative nevers into positive praise.

  10. 1. God will never stop protecting you. [bless you and keep you and keep you] Sheltered safe in the arms of God.

  11. *God will protect us from times of discouragement.

  12. -It has been said that discouragement is one of Satan’s most used tool. He may not be able to get us to sin or deny God or fall for trap such as pornography, sexual temptations, or addictions, but he can always rely on discouragement. It is in those times we need to remember Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help[protect] you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

    Isaiah 41:10

  13. *God will protect you from the attacks of Satan.

  14. So whether the attack be a subtle attack like discouragement, an insidious attack such as lust or greed, or a frontal assault of hatred and a desire to execute vengeance against someone, God is there to be your source of strength and help. Hear these words: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

    2 Thessalonians 3:3

  15. Thus we pray in the model prayer: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

  16. *God will protect you in times of trouble – personal, family, financial, health.

  17. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

    Psalms 46:1

  18. *God will protect you in times of uncertainty. When Israel had wondered for 40 years, it was time to enter the promised land. But they would not have their leader – Moses. [Do you have those times where you feel you are wandering around on your own, not one to lead or guide you through?] God told him that he would not go into the promised land. Knowing this would strike fear in the hearts of the nation, God told Moses what to say to Israel. When Moses spoke to the people he reminded them he was an old man (120) and would not be with them. But hear the words God gave for the nation: Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

    Deuteronomy 31:6

  19. There are many who fear the future of our nation, of the church. God says to us, keep moving forward. I will not leave you. Don’t fear the enemy – God is greater. Concerning the church Jesus said, “The gates of hades [death] shall not stand against my church.”

  20. God will never stop protecting.

  21. 2. God will never remove His presence from you. [His face will shine upon you and turned toward you]

  22. [excurses]

  23. -God knew we needed someone with flesh on them to give us strength for our trials. John 1: In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. . .And the word became flesh and dwelt among us.

  24. Hebrews 13:5 -- Keep your lives free from the love of money [many leave God looking for the things of this world] and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [may not have all you want, but God is all that you need]

    Hebrews 13:5

  25. You say you and God have drifted apart. Who moved? God’s presence is always right in front of your face if you would but open your eyes to see. So God will never never take His protection from you nor remove His presence from you.

  26. 3. God will never fail to give you peace. [give you peace]

  27. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

    John 14:27

  28. [excurses]

  29. The Hebrew Bible uses a familiar but significant word, shalom. In its purest sense, shalom means "peace." The connotation is positive. That is, when someone says, "Shalom," or, "Peace unto you," it doesn't mean, "I hope you don't get into any trouble"; or “I hope you get a good night’s sleep” or “I hope things go okay for you.”

  30. Shalom, peace, means, "I hope you have serenity." This is the absence of mental stress and anxiety. It is peacefulness. Serenity prayer:

  31. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the different.”

  32. [excurses]

  33. Where do we find the kind of peace that is not just the absence of trouble—the kind of peace that cannot be affected by trouble, danger, or sorrow? It is that passage we looke at a moment ago: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

    John 14:27

  34. Do you remember the context of this passage – what was happening when Jesus spoke these words. It was in the upper room, right after He told them He was going to die and that they would desert Him. Doesn’t sound very peaceful, does it? Yet, it was in this ‘peaceless’ situation that Jesus spoke words of peace. The peace Jesus is speaking of enables believers to remain calm in the most fearful and trying circumstances. It enables them rejoice in pain and trial, and sing in the middle of suffering. Paul and Silas in prison.

  35. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God." And in the end that is the only peace that matters. We may not have peace with a neighbor, co-worker, or even a family member. We may not see peace in our community, nation, or world. But there is a greater peace, and this is what Shalom is talking about.

    Romans 5:1

  36. This is the peace that Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension [understanding], shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

  37. This peace may not come as we expect it or when we expect it. So while waiting for all thinggs to be made right at the second coming of Christ, here’s what you can do:

  38. 1. Humble yourself before the Lord and focus on Him rather than your desire.

  39. 2. Remain obedient to God’s will.

  40. 3. Have faith that the Father will do as He’s promised.

  41. 4. Be courageous.

  42. So how do we live in this world where the negative nevers of life dominate our hears and minds. We remember these truths that:

  43. -God will never stop protecting us.

  44. -God will never take His presence from us.

  45. -God will never fail to give us peace.

  46. Also, as a believer ...

  47. He will never stop loving you.

  48. He will never fail to forgive your sins.

  49. He will never turn a deaf ear to you.

  50. He will never abandon you.

  51. He will never fail to provide for you.

  52. He will never forget you.

  53. He will never fail to work on your behalf.

  54. He will never fail to bless your obedience to Him.

  55. He will never neglect to answer your prayers.

  56. And when you wait on the Lord, you can know for certain that the best is yet to come.

  57. [slide of fork]