I ministered at a family funeral this last week. Part of the sermon used the word “Nevertheless.” This is a powerful word I used when dealing with my father’s sudden death in 2008. It’s a truth worth hearing again. May it bless you today.

My father a few years ago in a car accident. 

He was a great father and a good Christian man.  While meditating on things that bring healing and hope I came across a powerful and unusual word in the Bible that has helped me greatly to process the loss and give me comfort. The word was spoken by Christ at a time of His greatest challenge.  It was in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was only hours away from death on the cross.

During this time the humanity of Christ was in total agony.  In His mind and imagination came the visions of what was going to physically happen soon.  He had seen other people crucified.  Not only the physical death but He was to die for all man’s sins. The stress of the situation is recorded in Matthew 26:38 “My soul is sorrowful, even to death…”  The Bible records that His physical, mental, and spiritual condition was so stressed that even His sweat was mingled with blood.  The rock He cried out to God on was red with Jesus’ struggle. In Matthew 26:39 Jesus spoke to His Father in prayer and said “Father if there be any other way…please let this cup pass from me.” 

Then Jesus spoke a powerful word. 

You will not think of this word as one of the great words like faith, hope, or love. It’s not recorded in the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes.   The great word Jesus spoke was “nevertheless”.  What an odd word to find comfort in!  It is a word of transition.  It means although the topic before the word is true, the topic after this word is more true.  Jesus said to his Father “nevertheless,  not my will but Yours”. Everything changed! Jesus rose up a conqueror of death and brought hope to all of us through His death on the cross.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 But their minds were blinded… a veil lies on their heart.  Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

The word is used in 2 Cor. 3:14-16 where the Bible talks about those without Christ living in a darkness of Spiritual realities.  Many are living day today trying to find peace and direction without God.   All their efforts lead eventually to emptiness.  Peace and purpose in life are fulfilled only through Christ.  The Bible says there is a veil covering their hearts and minds keeping them in a state of darkness.  Even as Christians share their experiences it seems unclear or even foolishness to them.  However,  in verse 16 the word “nevertheless” is used to say as they turn to Christ the veil is taken away.  Peace, hope, and direction in life have come to them through a relationship with Christ.

As I answered the life-changing phone call letting me know my dad had died the world turned upside down for me and my family.  Although many people are experiencing death each week the permanent emptiness settled on our family.   This word kept coming back to me…nevertheless.

Dad is gone; nevertheless, I will one day see him again.   His advice can no longer be received; nevertheless, he has raised me with a life of examples and wisdom.    The death was instant and without warning, nevertheless, he was a righteous man ready to meet God.

Nevertheless – A healing word.

The word nevertheless helps us deal with the realities of life that are hard, painful, and frustrating by reminding ourselves of the truths in Christ that are promised in God’s word.  It helps us deal with life by claiming God’s promises.  You might be in a difficult place today.  With Christ you can say…nevertheless the promises of God are true.  It may seem a silly word to focus on but it can replace fear with faith, stress with confidence, and sadness with joy.

God has a “nevertheless” promise for you.

Simon Peter fished all night with no luck.  Jesus asked him to simply place the net on the other side of the boat!  His response changed his life forever in Luke 5:5 he said to Jesus “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing:

nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.’’ 

Simon Peter’s net was full and so can your heart be full as we apply God’s words to our situations. Let your lightnside be full of nevertheless power.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7 NIV

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless,     innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

God’s word affects our mind, spirit, and path.

The greatness of God’s word and its effect on our lives are recorded in the second half of this Psalms. The word is active. It is alive and brings with it an active influence on one’s life.  Even if you don’t remember what you read yesterday,  the fact that the word went through your mind and heart, creates a reaction.  This Psalms records the effect of God’s word in your mind and soul.

Attributes and Reactions

The Psalmist elegantly describes the attributes of God’s words then list’s their effect on our mind, body, and soul.  God’s word is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, firm, more precious than gold. The Word produces refreshing, wisdom, joy, light, endurance, righteousness, and sweetness.  Want to be sweeter to others?  Answer: God’s Word!

There are also some preventive properties in God’s Word.  These properties are the added results beyond the benefits mentioned above.  These properties are like taking vitamins or getting a flu shot.  Protection and insulation are the added benefits of God’s word. This protective effect of a daily intake of scripture is found in verses 11-13.

Verse 11: “BY THEM” (the daily dose of God’s word):

We are warned – Understanding consequences of choices.

Exposes hidden faults cannot see –  Brings to the surface hidden behaviors and beliefs that have secretly caused us harm.

Keeps us from allowing willful sins to rule over us. 

Keeps our life away from choosing life-destroying paths. 

Because of the scrubbing, correcting, healing and joyful work of God Truths we conclude and desire with David as we say with lightnside:“Let our words and thoughts be pleasing to God. My Lord (relationship), my Rock (security), my redeemed (active Grace and Mercy).” 

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God

Be Still

I woke up this morning with this thought in my heart. It was on my heart but not on my mind. My mind was thinking about today. My mind was thinking about projects long term and short term. My mind was thinking about what I should do first, then second, and so on.

Again…Be Still…

That means not checking the email, looking at Facebook, or turning on the TV. It means to “Be Still.”

I realize this verse is not so much a command but an invitation.
Not so much a duty, but rather a voice that can only be heard in stillness. I begin to be still. I pushed away thoughts and agendas and sit, quietly and still; open to Him who was calling.

God was in the stillness. He was in the quiet. When we rely more on our heart and spirit rather than our mind and agenda, we enter into His world—the place of peace, rest, comfort, love, and relationship.

I set awhile this morning without verbal prayers. I am still. I see Him smile. I see Him cover the earth with His glory. I feel Him cover me with His glory. His presence is in me. Christ’s blood pumps hope and strength through me. I am still.

and know

…and know… convinced, proven, evidenced, experienced, and knowledge without a doubt. Faith for what is not yet seen. Promised wisdom when needed. Knowledge of provision on the path. Absolute trust. I KNOW.

…That I am God.

The almighty, everlasting, all-knowing, merciful, holy God. Your ways are higher than mine. Your callings come with guidance as we walk the path you have chosen for us. You are with me. You are the Father of all. You are above, below, and surround me. I take some time in Your presence to tell myself and God, Thank You.

Today I will be still; take time to be in Your presence.

Right now. Breath deep. Feel with your heart and spirit. You have a Heavenly Father above you with no shadow of turning away. Be sill, and know He is God. Lightnside.