Are there any words or phrases you dread hearing? If you are trying to find the one toy your child wants then “sold out” are not the words you want to hear. You could log high miles and spend hours looking for it without success.

I have also learned “some assembly needed” is often big trouble. These words were on a box containing a swing set I bought for my children when they were young. This was a simple metal swing set with two swings, a slide, and a two person air-glider. It could not be that hard, right? Wrong!

You call a company about a problem and get a recording. You know the one I am talking about. “We are experiencing high call volumes and your wait time is twenty minutes”. From experience you know that twenty minutes could turn into an hour and a half.

None of these words or phrases are too life shattering. The issues they describe are more annoying than anything else. However, some words tell of life-and-death matters or they describe painful events that will continue to distress us. We may learn about sickness and tragedy when someone gives us the bad news. No defendant wants to hear a guilty verdict or have a judge sentence him to life in prison without parole. Family and loved ones of those who receive bad news suffer with them.

I think most of us would avoid hurtful times if we could, but life won’t let us. Bad stuff happens and we have to go through those moments. Just remember, the worst that can happen to us is not in this life. As Jesus sent out the apostles in Matthew ten He encouraged them not to become discouraged. In verse twenty-eight Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Whatever man can do to us because of our faith God can and will do more if we do not serve Him.

What are the worst words we could ever hear?

Matthew 7:23 – And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 25:41 – “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

I do not want to hear these words from the Lord when he judges on the final day. This sentence is eternal and without hope of parole. It will be the worst news anyone ever hears. The Lord saying “Go away from me” are the words everyone should dread the most. Sadly, many do not care about Christ or His message. They are not worried about hearing these words because they do not believe. If they continue to travel the same path, they will care one day. (Rom. 14:10-11) Thankfully these are words I do not have to hear.

Are there any words or phrases you long to hear? If you are trying to find the one toy your child wishes for, you want to hear, “Yes, we have one”. When I buy something not put together I would love for the store to say, “We have free assembly”. It would be great to hear a live voice when I call a company about a problem. I want the doctor to tell me everything is going to be alright. What defendant does not want to hear “innocent”?

“I love you” are words we long to hear from our family and friends. If they love us, they care about us and we can count on them. They put our needs and interests before their own. (Phil. 2:3-4) We know love by its actions. (1 John 3:18)

God says He loves us and I am glad He does. He loved us first, before we could love Him. (1 John 4:10 & 19) His love is so great that He sent His Son to die for us, for our sins. (John 3:16) Our hope is based on God’s love and He wants only what is best for us.

What are the best words we will ever hear?

Matthew 25:21 – His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:34 – Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

In my life I have heard some words I dreaded and some I longed for. On the final day, on the Day of Judgment, we will all stand before Jesus to give an account of ourselves. I long to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” and “Come… inherit the kingdom prepared for you.”
Terry Starling