Daily Devotional

I Will Never ...

by Jim Dunn on February 05, 2021

Just before Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins He said to His disciples, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night...”.  Peter’s response was, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will NEVER be made to stumble.”

Wow!  So strong and so self-assured was Peter and his words.  We at times may be very similar as we too say, “I will never do that or I will never go there.”

When I was a high school senior I entered a local speech contest.  It was put on by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.  To my surprise I won the local contest.  It was a five minute memorized speech on the American Revolution.  So I was off to the county contest and I won again.  Next was the state contest held at West Point, The United States Military Academy.  The chapel was amazing and there were five contestants and I spoke first.  It was pretty amazing to speak in the military chapel, but what happened next was not so good.  Halfway through my speech I forgot my lines.  All alone on the platform with no help from judges or my speech coach or the audience -what seemed like an eternity- it was awful.  Then out of nowhere came the last line of speech and then in reverse order came each line.  It was awful!!  I was Humiliated!  Embarrassed!  Disappointed!  I said as I sat down next to my speech coach and my family “I will NEVER speak in public again!”                                                                   

Never is a long time.  Be careful when you say never.  Peter said never and within hours of saying it, he did exactly what he said he wouldn’t do. For the next four years I never spoke in public. No more public speaking for me. I will never...  Then as God my Savior would have it, He would for some reason call me into ministry.  Yes, I knew what was coming.  You are right, He would one day invite me to do what I said I would never do.  I would speak in public.                                   

But let me ask each of you—-Have you ever said “Never”? Maybe even as of today you are still tightly holding onto that never thought. I will never forgive that person. I will never talk to them again. I will never go on a mission trip. I will never feed the hungry. I will never work with children. I will never give 10% of my money to the Lord and His church. I will never pray for that person. I will never speak or pray in church.                                 

So, what is your “NEVER” that today you need to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ? Peter’s never was simply not listening to God.  My never was just my own stubbornness.  What is your never that today, yes, right now, you need to hand over and let Jesus have His perfect way in your life?  Give it to Him right now. Surrender.  Let your “Never” be transformed by the power of God’s great grace.  Life is way better when you give your “Never” over to the Lord.

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