Sermon: “When God Says Never, It Means Never!”
February 8, 2026
Good Morning Saints of the Most-High God!
In Biblical terms the word “Never” expressed as a double negative in Hebrews 13:5 means emphatically "not at all" will I leave you, and "by no means forsake you!" Thus, God Promises to every believer in Jesus Christ His Permanent Presence and eternal security and support in fulfillment of His Divine Will for our lives! But Saints, we need to go deeper into this Scripture to understand its True meaning, apply it to our lives, and share it with others of like precious faith.
Introduction
My Sunday school Teacher at the Church of Jesus Christ
(Washington D.C.), was the late great Deacon Wilbur Andrew Belton, Sr. He was a devout Man of God; full of the Holy Ghost and Power. He was an amazing worship and praise leader, preacher, teacher, administrator, husband and father to his children in their generations. And, as shown in the picture below, he was always full of energy and bore a wide smile for Jesus Christ.
As a young born-again Christian, nearly every Sunday, I had a question(s) about a Lesson we were being taught. Deacon Belton would always answer my question(s), and then add by saying, “Brother Darryl, what does the Bible say? Just read and believe the Word of God as it is written.” I can still hear him today saying, “Read each Scripture and believe it!” This instruction has proven to be one of the greatest lessons I have learned about drawing near to God and watching the Word of God come alive and work in my life.
Later as a Minister of God, I learned that when I followed Deacon Belton’s advice of reading and believing God’s Word, the Holy Ghost would give me enlightenment on the Passage of Scripture. Meaning, the Holy Ghost would Minister to me: He would give me understanding, help me to see deeper Truths in the Passage, Chapter, or Book of the Bible, give me practical application for my life, and reveal hidden relationships to other Scriptures in the Holy Bible exceedingly far greater than I expected.
As a Pastor and Teacher of the Bible, often times I have found myself telling the congregation, as well as fellow Ministers that I have mentored to just, “read and believe what God’s Word says, and the Holy Ghost will give you enlightenment.” Saints, in fact, let me get dogmatic with all of you right now. I beg you to take hold of your Bibles and when you read the Holy Scriptures only believe the Word of God as it is written, and the Holy Ghost will give you enlightenment.” (Repeat that with me: “READ THE WORD, BELIEVE THE WORD, AND RECEIVE HOLY GHOST ENLIGHTENMENT.”)
Saints, you will also notice in this Ministry how I tend to handle the Word of God: precept upon precept, (A guiding Principle for spiritual and moral action) and then to prove the precept going line by line in Scripture. Isaiah 28:10 states: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. Moreover, it is my tendency to teach Principals from the Word of God repetitively: Over, and over, and over again and then pose questions to test what you have heard and learned, so that you might receive enlightment from the Holy Ghost, and become skillful hearers and doers of the Word that are able to bear much fruit unto Christ and to disciple others.
I deem this way of Ministering and teaching as critical to spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. We must first become students of the Word of God and grow to become “connoisseurs” (specialists, experts) of the Word of God. You see Saints, I reckon that since Jesus Christ said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my [Words] shall not pass away.” (Matt.24:35) And, since the Lord said, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the [Law], till all be fulfilled.” (Matt.5:18) And, since the Lord told Satan, “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every [Word] of God.” That it makes common “spiritual sense” for every born-again Christian to become proficient/masters in handling the Word of God and effectual doers of the Word until we are like our “Master Teacher” Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:40)
So Saints, guess what we are going to do today? We are going to focus on “Reading and Believing” one of the most well-known and oft-quoted Scriptures of Promise in the Holy Bible (Heb.13:5), and enlist the Holy Ghost to enlighten our hearts and minds on the Scripture of Promise so that we might practice the Word in daily living, get the Victory, and teach others to walk in the blessedness of the Promise.
Never Will God Leave You, Nor Forsake You in Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant
The prolific and famous English novelist Charles Dickens from the Victorian era, is credited for coining the idiom, “never say never.” The saying conveys the meaning that a person should not make absolute declarations because anything is possible and circumstances can change. It is an expression of the idea that the future is unpredictable and that today’s impossibilities may become tomorrow’s realities. Further, the phrase encourages open-mindedness and a willingness to try new things, rather than closing oneself off.
As you sit and think Saints, many times we have declared “Nevers” over our lives and others. Oh what shameful and vain boastings we have entered into, saying such things as: I will never speak to you again, I will never love again, I will never forgive you and/or forget what you did to me, I will never do you wrong, I will never learn to drive, I will never tell your secret, I will never let you down, I will never be rich, and on and on we go with the “Nevers.”
When it comes to Mankind, Charles Dickens saying, “Never say never” is a prudent and wise advice, because the word “never” as we use it in Society limits possibilities, is often inaccurate, and can be harmful in communication. Moreover, most often when we use the word “never” it conflicts with God’s Word. By using absolute terms “like never,” a person can create all-or-nothing thinking, damage relationships with exaggerated statements, and as I said before close a person off from new experiences and future opportunities. Let me say it more loudly, the word “never” should never be used in human boasting because without God we do not know the end of anything!
Umm, the Holy Bible instructs us on how we should express understandings and wisdoms about the future of our tomorrows, whether positive or negative. James 4:14-15 states:
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
This is a stark reminder for every born-again Christian to acknowledge that our plans are “dependent” on God's Will, and to avoid boasting about future accomplishments or making determinations/predictions of things that are not able to occur or be done, if they are guaranteed by human effort alone. The phrase, “If the Lord Will” demonstrates a reliance on God and a humility in recognizing that our lives and actions are ultimately subject to His sovereignty. Let us therefore in holy sobriety and humility conclude that God alone is the Supreme Being having complete sovereignty over the word “NEVER!” For the Holy Scriptures declare God’s Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence. (Ps.139, Jer.23:24, & Job 42:2) God is the only Person who knows the beginning from the end and vice versa, and has created all things by His Wisdom and Power. (Is.46:10 & Col.1:16)
Now, when it comes to the Almighty and Absolute God, when He speaks and says “never” its means forever! In the Hebrew and Greek translations of “Never” it emphasizes absolute certainty, permanence, and the “impossibility” of something happening. When I think of an impossibility spoken by God, I think of Scriptures like Hebrews 11:6, “But, without faith it is impossible to please God,” or Jesus Christ’s Words recorded at Matthew 19:26, “…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Or, Hebrews 6:18, which states, “ That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”
The word “never” spoken by God is often used in Scripture to under-score the finality of God’s Promises and judgments, conveying that His Commitments are eternal and unshakable. Thus, we should understand that the Promise made at Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you,” is final! Praise God, the Promise cannot be changed as it is eternal and unshakable!
A precise count of the number of times God says “never” in the Holy Bible is not given to us; likely hundreds of times in various contexts. But let me give you seven separate times where God speaks and says or indicates “never,” and then we will focus specifically on God’s “Nevers” in Hebrews 13:5.
- Genesis 9:11: (In an Everlasting Covenant with Noah God said): And I will establish My covenant with you: [Neither] shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; [Neither] shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.”
- Psalm 55:22: Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall [NEVER] suffer the righteous to be moved.
- Daniel 2:44: And in the days of the kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall [NEVER] be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
- John 6:35: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall [NEVER] hunger; and he that believeth on me shall [NEVER] thirst.
- John 8:51: Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall [NEVER] see death.”
- John 10:27-28: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall [NEVER] perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
- I Corinthians 13:8: Charity (love) [NEVER] fails.
So now, let’s focus on Hebrews 13:5. Let us take our time and read it aloud, learn of its deeper meaning, believe the Promise of God’s “Nevers,” and receive enlightenment by the Holy Ghost for our personal enrichment and to teach others the Way of God.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will [Never] leave thee, [Nor] forsake thee.
God emphatically declares His “Nevers” over us. We could read the Scripture this way, which in the original Greek language it literally means, “NEVER, NEVER WILL I FAIL YOU; AND NEVER, NEVER WILL I IN ANY WAY ABONDON YOU!”
However Saints, in most Christian Circles, largely because we did not read the Verse carefully, as well as the proceeding Verse 6, we have missed the fuller meaning of what the writer of Hebrews was trying to get across to Christian readers of God’s Promise “Never to leave nor forsake us.” Most everyone only quotes the latter half of Verse 5, and in so doing we take it out of its proper context and apply it to all kinds of circumstances.
Most often, this Scripture of Promise is used as a source of “comfort” in times of trouble: God Promises that He will never leave those who are His, nor forsake them. In a perilous world that is constantly changing and where people are suffering with financial lack, stricken with illness, constantly leaving, whether in a family, relationship, or in death; God’s Promise of never leaving us is encouraging. For certain, this aspect of the Promise provides a much needed anchor of hope to our souls and ministers strength to endure hardships, trials, and persecutions. However, in such circumstances, it is far better to use a deliverance Scripture of Promise like Psalm 46:1-2.
Also, many times we associate the Promise of God’s Presence with Christ’s last Words to His disciples before Ascending to Heaven, where He said as a part of the Great Commission, “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt.28:20) In deed, Jesus Christ is with us as we preach the Gospel to every creature and do the works of Christ in healing the sick, casting out devils, raising the dead, and manifesting other gifts of the Spirit. (Mark16:15-18) For without Jesus, we can accomplish nothing! (John 15:5)
But, the writer of Hebrews 13:5 is really getting at something else that is tied directly to a Promise made in the Old Testament that belongs to born-again Christians “Today” regarding God’s Promised Presence and Support always being with us. In essence, this Verse serves as an admonishment for Christians to put all of their trust in God to bring them into the Promised Land of Prosperity and Health. Yes, you heard me right Saints, Hebrews 13:5 is a restatement that God will “never leave nor forsake” every born-again Christian in bringing them into divine Prosperity and Health. As our part in the New Covenant with God in Christ Jesus, we are to hold fast to the profession (confession) of our faith in the Promise of Hebrews 13:5, and all the Promises of God, without wavering, so that God may bring them to pass in our lives. (Heb.10:23, 35-37) Unfortunately, most born-again Christians have not exercised faith in this precious Promise according to Abrahamic Covenant to see it come to pass in their lives.
My, my, my so many Christians take the Promise of God never leaving them nor forsaking them in a “stagnant” way. Meaning that God is with the Christian wherever they choose to go and whatever they decide to do. But Saints, let me give you a “News Flash:” God does not follow us around, we follow after God in the way in which He leads! (Psalm 23, Matt.16:24) Our natural carnal minds and hearts do not know the steps that we should take, nor the way in which we should go. (Jer.10:23)
Saints, God is not with us to go along for the ride, as we decide to chart and navigate the course for our lives. No, no, no! Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (beautiful homes). He leadeth me besides still waters. He resoreth my soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.” God’s divine Will and Way is to lead us into a “wealthy” place in Christ Jesus! (Ps. 35:27, 112:1-3, Jer. 29:11, III John 2) Even when we get lost and can’t find our way, Jesus leaves the rest of the flock, and searches until He finds us and brings us back into the fold! (Luke 15:3-7) Moreover, Christ Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third-day so that we through “His poverty might be made rich!” (II Cor. 8:9) Jesus Sacrifice of His life leads us to the riches (wealth, money and possessions) of God destined to flow into our hands, if only we will believe!
Now, examine the first half of the Verse (Heb.13:5), which states, “Let your conversation be without covetousness (greed and envy); and be content with such things as ye have:” Here the Writer exhorts believers to live a life of contentment, with a lifestyle and behavior that is “free” from greed and lust for material possessions. Covetousness is a greedy “selfish desire” for more, so the phrase is an instruction to be satisfied with what you have, “trusting” that God’s Presence in your life, and relationship with Him, is infinitely more valuable than the acquisition of worldly possessions. Loving and serving God rather than riches will bring you into a wealthy place!
We can be content with whatever we have, and where we are in life, knowing that God’s Presence goes before us to brings us into material wealth and substance in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. (Gen.12:1-3) God’s Heart and Mind are set on blessing and causing His People to inherit material wealth and substance, as He did with faithful Abraham. (Gen.24:1)
The key part in Hebrews 13:5 that many of us have not considered, is the writer says :[for he hath said,] I will [Never] leave thee, [Nor] forsake thee. The writer is restating a Promise made earlier in Scripture. For greater insight and understanding into what God means when He says “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” we have to go and find the Scripture where God first mentioned the Promise. The Promise was first given to Joshua and Israel before entering the Promised Land recorded at Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8:
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
The Promised Land is the territory described in the Holy Bible as being given by God to Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites.
Geographically, it corresponds to the ancient land of Canaan, which includes much of modern-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, as well as parts of Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. (In a general and broader sense, "The Promised Land" can also refer to a satisfying achievement or a place of fulfilled dreams, wishes granted, visions manifested, goals attained, aspirations realized.)
The Promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” was first given to Joshua and Israel before entering the Promised Land, in accordance with Israel’s forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Deut.31:6).
Encouragingly, Moses (who God did not permit to enter the Promise Land but allowed him to view it from Mount Nebo), reminded Joshua that as the succeeding leader of Israel, “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut.31:8).
Joshua’s task of taking the Promised Land seemed impossible because, by natural eyes, other nations were greater in size and military might. But as Israel persevered with the Lord, the task was possible, for God would not forsake Joshua. God would fight for them, destroy their enemies, and give them the land and riches therein for an inheritance. God would provide for them and He would be their fortress from all opposing enemies once occupying the land. (See Deut. 31:1-6)
So, Israel would have no reason to fear or be afraid; but emboldened to be strong and very courageous in taking possession of the Land of Cannon and other parts of the Promised Land. In other words, God was assuring Joshua and Israel that He alone would be their “Helper” in inheriting the Promised Land, in accordance with the Abrahamic Covenant. All of this was Promised Israel, if they chose to love the Lord God, obey His Voice, and cleave only to Him for He alone was their life and length of their days. (Deut.30:19-20)
This Promise of God to “never leave nor forsake them,” to serve as their Helper, was borne out of the gut-wrenched groaning, tears, sufferings, and cries for the God of Abraham to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. God had respect for their cries for “help,” and God the “Helper” with Moses as their leader were supernaturally brought out of Egypt into the wilderness with the “wealth” of their oppressors, Pharaoh and the Egyptians. (Ex. 2:23-25, 12:35-37 & Ps. 105:37)
Saints, the Promise in Hebrews 13:5 is a “restatement” for all born-again Christians today to trust in God as their “Helper,” just as He was for Moses and Joshua and the children of Israel; to bring all believers in Jesus Christ into their Promised Land: Into a Wealthy Place because God is our Helper and Never Never will He leave us, and Never Never will He forsake us. Thus, there is no need to fear or be afraid of the world and what man can do to God’s people to keep them from inheriting the wealth of the earth.
In Galatians 3:6-9, the Apostle Paul wrote that all believers in Christ are the same as the children of Israel; and that we are “blessed” with faithful Abraham. The same blessing of material wealth and substance that God blessed Abraham with is also on every born-again Christian. (Gen.13:1-2) Furthermore, Paul stated that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that the blessing of Abraham (material wealth and substance) would come on us through the Holy Ghost by faith. (Gal.3:13-14)
Christ was made sin for us, so that the world through Him might be reconciled to God and made the Righteousness of God. (II Cor. 5:20-21) So that God would dwell within our born-again hearts forever, and thereby securing eternally our personal and intimate fellowship with Him, and journey with Him, into our Promised Land of prosperity and health. Yes, God in the Person of the Holy Ghost serving as our “Helper,” gives us the “power” to get wealth to establish the Abrahamic Covenant in the earth; and be a blessing to all families of the earth. (Deut.8:18 & Acts 1:8)
With whole-hearted faith in the Promise, the Writer of the book of Hebrews states in Verse 6: “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Knowing that God is our “Helper” to bring us into a wealthy place in Christ, we can be content (gratified, pleased, comfortable, and thankful) with such things as we have, as God goes before us to cause the wealth of the wicked, to be laid up for the just; to eventually find its way into our hands. (Prov.13:22)
Saints somebody shout: “God is my Helper!” The Word Helper means, He is the Person who “runs to” those who cry for His “help” and “succorers” them. Meaning God hurriedly comes to those who cry-out for His Help to render aid, support, and relief; (to those in distress, need, or temptation) to give spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial satisfaction!
Umm, Psalm 91:15-16, states: “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” Saints, see how God “never leaves us nor forsakes us?” Because God never leaves nor forsakes us, when we call for His “Help.” The “Helper” Promises to be with us in trouble, deliver us, and bring us into a place of honour (wealth with righteousness). As well as God grants to us a long- satisfied life and will reveal to us God’s Salvation as we take our last breath in this life.
Truly, God is a Helper to those who know they need His help and rely on Him to provide it. They guard their hearts, and mouths and filter conversations to ensure their words are “without covetousness,” and they are content (thankful to God) with such things as they have as God is forever their Helper to supply all their needs according to His riches in glory. (Php. 4:19) As we whole-heartedly worship God, love and serve the Lord, and go about quietly working with our hands in righteousness, minding our own business, trusting in God for Help; promotion and prosperity which comes from the Lord will come our way. (I Thess. 4:11) No fear of the economy, job prospects, people and organizations who may wish to block job and career success can stop us from inheriting God’s Promise of wealth, because the Lord is our Helper. Thus, what can man do to us? Psalm 75:6-7 reads:
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
With that understanding of Hebrews 13:5, Saints read and believe Verses 5-6 and allow the Holy Ghost to minister and enlighten concerning your personal financial situation and wealth portfolio:
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Given where you are “today” in your living and financial space, rich or poor, healthy or sick, with contentment, thank God for the things that you have, and come to a place of rest knowing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “never leaves you, nor forsakes you.” Come to the place of knowing that God, by the Holy Ghost goes before you, and is leading you into greater and greener pastures in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. That, as your Helper, God is “succoring” you while you earnestly work with your hands to do righteous labor. Praise God, He is giving aid to meet and exceed your every need. That, if you are in distress in your finances, or sick in your mind and/or body, to cry-out to the Lord for “help” and God your “Helper” will come speedily to your aid.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, saying, “He is rich unto all who call upon Him.” (Rom.10:12) For above all things God desires that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. (III John 2) Therefore, call on the Lord to make you rich; rich in houses, lands, investments and material wealth so that you may be a blessing to all of the families of the earth, according to Abrahamic Covenant! God has guaranteed to abundantly supply you with riches, such that you, nor your children will ever beg bread! (Ps.37:25)
Finally Saints, going forward, I encourage you to read, meditate, and recite Hebrews 13:5-6 each day until you know it by heart and govern your life by it. Just as Deacon Belton instructed me, I also admonish you: What does the Bible say, just Read and Believe the Scripture and let the Holy Ghost enlighten you.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Please going forward refrain from lifting the phrase in Verse 5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” and taking it out of context. Allow the Holy Ghost to enlighten and give you practical experience, along with endless Testimonies of how God, as your personal Helper, has fulfilled His divine Will of supernatural wealth transference and accumulation into your house, through His Promise to “never leave you, nor forsake you,” in accordance with the Abrahamic Covenant. So you can teach others to walk in the Promise.
Praise God, I hear the Holy Ghost saying, “Receive with assurance and gladness of heart,” Prosperity reserved for you and your household according to Psalm 115:14-16:
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Also Saints, take wings like the eagles and ascend higher and higher in the Spirit with God’s Promises for the blessings of Obedience, recorded at Deuteronomy 28:9-13:
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
Amen, for the preaching of the Word of the Living God.
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