In Spite Of Our Failures We Have Hope

Nevertheless

There are many lovely words in many different languages.  Some because of how they sound.  Others because of what they describe, some because of what they mean, and some that are lovely because they have some lovely memory or experience of our own attached to them.

Here’s a word that is getting a bit “dated” in the English language but for me it has a beautiful sound, meaning, and so many of my personal experiences attached to it.  The word:  nevertheless.

We more use words like, “Even though.” “In spite of.” or  “however” and they are fine and have pretty much the same meaning.

“Nevertheless” tells us that things have not gone as they should and something that we want, we no longer deserve. But, in spite of how foolish and wrong and insensitive we’ve been, in the generosity and good character of others involved, something beautiful is about to happen.

Here’s one example from the Bible:

Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress,  when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Psalm 106:43-45

God’s love for us is so great that no matter how many times we “do stupid,” if we will just turn towards Him, call out to Him in our distress - a distress of our own making I would remind us – God will remember His promise to love us and care for us.  That is a wonderful “nevertheless” moment.

I have so many of them in my history – I wish I could say they were all in my distant past but I don’t have to look too far over my shoulder to see where I’ve needed God’s kind “nevertheless.”  How about you?

Loving God, we are so grateful for Your generous love and forgiveness made available to us over and over again in spite of our sins and failures. 

Thank You, Jesus, for your own “nevertheless” moment that led to everything we need today because it led to You dying for us on the cross.

Jesus prayed: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Luke 22:42

We choose to rely on Your great love today and with humble and repentant hearts, open ourselves up to all You want to be and do in us today.  Amen

Nevertheless moments – I wonder how many we will notice today.