Blanket of clouds – photo by Jill Rushbrook
Jeremiah 33:6 NIV
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.“
After meeting with a student to talk about some late assignments, he said very sincerely, “Thank you for being so flexible and working with me so I can get my assignments in. I seriously appreciate it.” I teach a class called about “college success” so I try my best to help students succeed, often by giving them a second chance and hoping that they learn lessons for the future. A small act of mercy can make a difference. When reading this passage, I was struck by how mercy is displayed in one word…“Nevertheless”. God showed such mercy towards those who inhabited Israel even when they worshiped false gods, sacrificed their own children, and committed numerous sinful acts. “Nevertheless”, God committed to bring them back from captivity under the Babylonians and extend his mercy in ways they didn’t deserve. Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised, “I will heal my people and let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” If you read further, God also says he will cleanse them and forgive them of all their sins committed against him in rebellion.
In my own life, I’ve had my own experience with rebellion, thinking I was in control and didn’t need God. I was as far from God as one could be in my actions, thoughts, and selfish motives. “Nevertheless”, when the world that I thought I had control of fell utterly apart, God’s mercy poured over me. I was forgiven, comforted, and God called me to draw near to Him so He could heal my heart, soul, and mind. Christ, who paid the price of my sins, took my hand and “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:2 NIV We have to remember that Jesus did not desire to go to the cross and take on the sins of the world. He said,“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me — nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 CSB) And there it is…the ultimate “nevertheless”. Despite asking three times for God the Father to “take this cup away from me”, Jesus wanted to be obedient to the One who loves us so much that he sent his son to die so that we would have eternal life (John 3:16 CSB). This “nevertheless” not only changed our eternal destinies, but also our earthly lives, opening the door to be fully cleansed of our sin, enjoy freedom from fear, and have close communion with the Creator of heaven and earth. When I think about what my fate could have been had God not forgiven and redeemed me, I thank God for his “nevertheless”!
How much more should I have a “nevertheless” in my own life and actions. I’ve been hurt in my own life, been betrayed, and had trust broken, but how often am I able to say, “nevertheless, I forgive you” or
“nevertheless, I will be kind to you”. One of the most sobering scriptures is when Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15 NIV If God can forgive all my awful actions and thoughts, and will remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12 NIV) how much more should I extend my forgiveness and mercy to others? How much more should I love mercy and walk humbly with my God? Micah 6:8 NIV Praise God for his never-ending love and compassion for me that he calls me to extend to others. May we have the merciful mind of Christ that our world needs, and let us never forget the “nevertheless” in our God’s vocabulary.
Everyday Elevation 