Nevertheless....

There is a word God has been working into my heart. It is one of those words I have overlooked in the scriptures. The word is "nevertheless." I recently read an article that highlighted the word, and now as I meditate on it, I find it is motivating me to action. It is an exciting word as I consider what it means.

Noah Webster defines "nevertheless" as, not the less, notwithstanding, that is in opposition to anything, or without regarding it. It means to press ahead without regard to the circumstances, to proceed without being prevented. it is a transition word that indicates that the previous circumstances are negated through action.

In the scriptures we read, And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying" You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here." Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion - that is, the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-7).

Look at what this word links together. On the one side is the enemy telling King David that he cannot come to Zion, that he is so weak that even the blind and the lame are stronger. Nevertheless, David was not stopped by the intimidation of the enemy or the situation. He was not prevented from taking Jerusalem. On the otherside, he pressed ahead to victory and took the stronghold from the enemy.

What challenge are you facing? Has the enemy convinced you there is no solution to a problem in your life? Are you discouraged, intimidated, worried, anxious or fearful? Is there a situation you are weary of dealing with or battling? Do you believe you have come up against something you cannot conquer or penetrate?

For your situation, there is a nevertheless for you. There is a way for you to press ahead without being prevented.

I am reminded that buffalo turn into a storm and face it rather than turn away from it, and they begin to press into the wind. They go against the storm, and they actually get through the storm twice as fast that way, because they are moving in opposition to it.

Our human tendency is often to run from difficult situation, to stand still, to hide, or even go backwards to try to avoid challenges. We wring our hands, withdraw from God and from fellowship and let our circumstances weigh us down and steal our peace, joy and confidence. We don't ignore our deny our difficulties, but we get to the nevertheless because God's will is for us to have victory, even in the midst of our circumstances. He has called us to be over comers (Romans 8:37). He has made that possible because of His power that is in us (2 John 4:4).

God has no problems. He is almighty and all powerful, and His power lives in us through the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we face a challenge, we go to Him and He always has a solution. He has to work every situation for our good (Romans 8:38), just because we are His children.

I encourage you to have hope and not give up. Turn into the storm and press ahead. Some of the greatest tools God has given us to help us get to the other side of our situation, are gratitude, praise and thanksgiving. Instead of seeing how big the storm is, look at God and rejoice in how BIG He is. He is God. His name is above all names. There is nothing bigger or more powerful. Put your faith in the Creator and not in the storm. That in itself will decrease the power of the situation in your life - as you recognize it for what it is and see God for Who He is. Trust God to bring you through the situation and then put action to your faith. Then your testimony will be, "I have faced a storm. Nevertheless...I am walking in victory."