NEVERTHELESS
As I read a verse the other day, the word ‘NEVERTHELESS’ leaped off the page at me. What I heard was NEVER choose the easy road. When you have a choice to bring all you have to anything you do, NEVER choose less than your best. When getting back on defense or running the floor on offense, run like the play depends on you. Compete like the season depends on your every play.
The word hit me so hard that I had to dig in and learn more of both its meaning and its roots.
Let’s first take a look at its definition. The American Heritage Dictionary in today’s English grammar, the word simply means, “In spite of all that…”
In the Old Testament, the original Hebrew means, strangely enough, “a ceasing, an end, a finality”. In the New Testament Greek, in Luke’s writing, the word “NEVERTHELESS” is used “after negative sentences”, and “serves to mark a transition to something new”. In Mark’s writing, however, “NEVERTHELESS” is used as “an opposition to concession”. This simply means that, although the speaker does not want to yield, or concede, to circumstances, they have submitted their own will through the power of ‘NEVERTHELESS’.
As I looked at verses that ‘NEVERTHELESS’ appeared in, a few stories caught my attention. It just so happened that they were some of my favorite Bible stories beginning with the twelve spies that return from the Promised Land. God’s instructions were not for the spies to go into the land and decide whether or not they agreed with God on His choice for their future, NEVERTHELESS this is exactly what happened. 85% of the twelve spies chose the wrong NEVERTHELESS. Numbers 13:27-30, “And they told him, and said, we came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.”
They saw God’s amazing promise yet they chose fear over faith. The ten spies choose the NEVERTHELESS that most choose. The Promised Land flows and the fruit is amazing, nevertheless we choose fear. In Numbers 13:30, Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”. God bring out the Caleb in all of us! Let his NEVERTHELESS be our NEVERTHELESS!
The Spies got caught, not by the enemy, but were overcome by a thought placed in their mind by the true enemy, Satan. It was this “NEVERTHELESS” that became “an end, a ceasing, a finality”, because it stopped what GOD wanted to do for His people.
Someone once said that it takes both negative and positive to start a vehicle; That may be so, but give me a positive charge any day of the week! The NEVERTHELESS you choose, the ten or Caleb’s, will decide your destiny.
The second story comes from Luke 5:4-6. You see, Simon had tasted futility not catching a fish all night long, but still in the face of failure trusted in the faithfulness of the Master. “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: NEVERTHELESS at thy word I will let down the net.” It was this “NEVERTHELESS” that, in the Greek form, “served to mark a transition to something new”. Simon’s choice took things from the carnal to the spiritual as he opened the door for Jesus to do a miracle based on Simon’s obedience and faith.
The next story is the most powerful ‘NEVERTHELESS’ ever spoken. Jesus is facing the most horrific pain a man can face through crucifixion. As Jesus goes with His close friends, Peter, James, and John to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and begin His road to the Cross. Jesus NEVERTHELESS is recorded in three gospels.
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: NEVERTHELESS not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: NEVERTHELESS not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: NEVERTHELESS not my will, but thine, be done.
Jesus chose to not take easy road. We are to follow Christ and His example. Jesus went to the Father, so that we would have our own personal guide to help us in our decisions! Let’s look at one more ‘NEVERTHELESS’ from Jesus.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Jesus always chose the greatest, not the least, as He sends the same power that raised Him from the dead to guide and empower us so that we can do the same. We are to refuse to be discouraged, see fear, but don’t react to it. Let the Holy Spirit desensitize, empower, and guide you to flip the enemies plan. Quote the word! I can do all thing through Christ. Let ‘NEVERTHELESS’ become your War Cry!
Sports is often a picture of life. Get in the habit of going the extra mile and running our race to win. Join me in this prayer today.
Spirit guide and help me to choose the NEVERTHELESS that Jesus chose!
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash