Always

Always

In the Bible we find this “always” that unites us with God and each other in the things that are firm and unshakable. People are usually thrown to and fro by anxiety and unrest, by doubt and unbelief. One day they praise God with rejoicing and song, the next day they are cast down by discouragement and despondency. Nevertheless, God is always the same, and we are to partake of His nature.

God wants to enter an always firm covenant with us. “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.” Hos. 2:19-20.

This covenant is always firm and unshakable as far as God is concerned, and it is His desire that we have the same attitude. We never learn to know God, or partake of His blessing and fellowship if we give in to unrighteousness, hardness, mercilessness, and unfaithfulness. When Israel broke the covenant, the blessings departed from them.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thess. 3:16. All that we see and hear in our days can be the cause of so much unrest in our soul if we are not freed from the world and the things of the world. People have never before seen and heard so much, and they will be dismayed and perplexed over the things that will come over the earth.

Jesus, who is the Lord of peace, the One who had peace in all situations, also offers us this same blessed peace. This can become reality in our lives by a thorough sanctification of spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thess. 5:23. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” V. 24. We can enter into an always-abiding rest if we have this faith and confidence in Him.

In Philippians 4:4 Paul was able to write in this faith: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Joy is an extremely variable commodity in most people’s lives—depending on the situation they are in, but we can rejoice always if our mind is firmly anchored in a living hope in Christ. No one and nothing can disturb this inner peace and joy.

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:24-25. He has a living interest in us, and He constantly intercedes for us. He has redeemed us from all sin with His precious blood, and He can save us to the uttermost. Now He always sits at the right hand of God. Heb. 10:12. He sits there to set our minds free from corruption and to lead us into incorruption. We are also led into an incorruptible priesthood with an incorruptible peace and joy and a glorious brotherhood that will never end.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Ps. 16:8. This is a prophecy concerning Jesus, and we are called to be His followers. We are always moved if we have the visible things before our eyes. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb. 12:28.

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but in the fear of the Lord continue all day long . . . .” Prov. 23:17. Just think of all the evil that has resulted from people contradicting and correcting each other in their zeal! We can be together with people in goodness and love by always being zealous for the fear of the Lord. Then we can win sinners for God. In 2 Corinthians 5:11 Paul writes, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . . .” The Philippians had always been obedient, and they were exhorted to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2:12. We have ample opportunity to do this when we are together with all kinds of people. We are not conformed to Jesus by blaming and criticizing each other, but rather by judging ourselves and loving everyone with Christ’s fervent love—He who loved us while we were yet sinners.

“Be my strong habitation, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.” There we will always be with the Lord, and it has not yet entered the heart of man all that God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9.

“Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You . . . .” Jer. 12:1. It is wise to acknowledge humbly and immediately that God, who is perfect, is always right. Many have tried, in their foolish pride and conceit, to plead their case with God, but they have always been put to shame. We can be sure that it is the height of folly to oppose the Creator with our small human understanding. “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.” Prov. 15:33. “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always.” 1 Thess. 5:15-16.

May we be truly grounded in the “always” in everything that is noble and good.