Jump Start # 3943
1 Corinthians 10:5 “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.”
Having walked through some sweet blessings from ancient Israel, all baptized into Moses, all ate the same spiritual food, all drank the same spiritual drink, with most God was not well-pleased. To set that off, our verse begins with that pointed word NEVERTHELESS.
Nevertheless, isn’t the type of word that we like to hear. What generally follows nevertheless is something negative, something not right. You don’t hear that word in weddings. Can you imagine a bride saying, “I do, NEVERTHELESS…”? Or, your doctor, “Your health is great, NEVERTHELESS…” Or, your financial planner, “I’ve looked at where you are financially and you’re ok, NEVERTHELESS…”
When the spies gave a report about the promise land, they saw a land with milk and honey, NEVERTHELESS, the people were strong, the cities were fortified, there were giants in the land and we can’t do it. With that NEVERTHELESS, the hearts of Israel melted. They wanted to overthrow Moses’ leadership and return back to Egypt. A NEVERTHELESS led to that.
Here are some things to consider:
First, we all recognize and realize that we are not perfect. However, it seems the mission and duty of some to point those things out. It’s as if they have volunteered to be the NEVERTHELESS squad at church. They can rain on every parade and find something lacking, missing or imperfect.
When the Romans were told to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, we’ve done a good job with the weeping. We can cry with the best of them. It seems that some have trouble with the rejoicing part. Someone makes more money than you do. Someone moves into a larger house than you live in. Someone takes better vacations than you can. Rather than being happy for them and rejoicing with them, out comes the NEVERTHELESS. And, that is some how used to justify and equalize the situation. They have those things, NEVERTHELESS, their dad gave them that job or they inherited that money. No rejoicing, just more NEVERTHELESS. And, I wonder if some do that because deep inside, they are jealous.
Put this back into that first century world. Most would say that Apollos was a better preacher. Mighty in Scriptures. Eloquent in speech. NEVERTHELESS he wasn’t as traveled as Paul. NEVERTHELESS he wasn’t one of the chosen apostles. NEVERTHELESS he never saw the Lord in a vision. Do you think Paul would have thought that way? I don’t. I think he would have welcomed Apollos and been thankful for his talents.
Second, how do you live with a NEVERTHELESSer in your life? There are always those who want to see the short comings, remind you of mistakes and in their “wonderful” way keep you humble. Realize that the one who is always quick to NEVERTHELESS also has those same moments in their lives. Maybe this makes them feel better to hold the radar gun of judgment rather than the mirror of truth. You know your shortcomings. You know what you need to work on. You know your strengths. You know your blessings. You know what you are good at. It does little good to try to balance the scales of justice to a NEVERTHELESSer. As long as you know and the Lord knows, that’s all that matters.
I have plenty of NEVERTHELESSers in my orbit of life. I try to turn the subject to something meaningful and positive. I try to put some distance between me and them. And, I do try to improve where I can. Some expect everyone around them to be perfect even though they know they are not.
Third, how can I live with NEVERTHELESS when it comes to the Lord? Now, that’s a serious thought. Our hope is not in getting to the point where there will never be a NEVERTHELESS. That won’t happen. There are always more prayers that I should pray. There are always more good that I need to do. There are more to teach. More to invite. More to encourage. One can run himself ragged trying to do it all and that leads to feeling overwhelmed, guilty and exhausted. And, at that point, a person no longer enjoys their faith. They beat themselves up because they should have done more.
Israel’s problem in our verse was not a lack of trying. For them it was a lack of faith. They should have trusted the Lord. If God had promised a land to Abraham, then giants or not, they should be able to dwell there. When they complained about thirst, they should have known that God would provide somehow. He always did.
Our hope is in the grace of God. And, because of that grace, there won’t be a NEVERTHELESS. Does this mean we can sit on the bench of life and spend our time doing what we want to do? No. That will only add more to the NEVERTHELESS list. That demonstrates a lack of trust in God and taking God for granted. Instead, we ought to do all that we can. And, when we have, we still will have some NEVERTHELESS in our lives. Perfection is always a step or two away from us. It’s the love and grace of our Lord that allows us to have the hope and confidence in His promises.
NEVERTHELESS…so much from such a simple word.
Roger