Nevertheless! # 2

Nevertheless! # 2

4. I have passed through many sad and sore afflictions, and in those afflictions I have been left at times, without any cheering light, comforting hope, or soul elevating consolation. I have cried - but could obtain no answer. I have sought the Lord - but could not find Him. I have given way to doubt and despondency - until I have sunk deep in sadness and in gloom. I have been tempted to think that my case was hopeless, and my experience contrary to that of the Lord's family. I have fretted, complained, and repined; and have been ready to give up all for lost!

But there was one blessed "Nevertheless," that like a star in the midst of midnight darkness, gave me a little light, and cheered me with a little hope. In Psalm 106 I read of the conduct, or rather misconduct of Israel of old, how they provoked the Lord, and brought down His sore judgments upon them. But in verses 44, 45, it is written "Nevertheless he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered His covenant and out of His great love He relented!" What a blessed "Nevertheless," is this! After so much sin, so many provocations, and such severe chastisement, "Nevertheless!" After all, notwithstanding all, in spite of all, "Nevertheless He took note of their distress when He heard their cry!" As if it touched His paternal heart, stirred up the depths of His compassion, and aroused His tenderest pity! O infinitely gracious God! Again I bless your adorable name, for your long-suffering and tender mercy - toward such poor, weak, wicked, wayward worms of the earth!

5. I have been discouraged in my work very often, because I have seemed to labor in vain - to spend my strength for nothing, and in vain. But I have been cheered in reading of the fruitless toil of the disciples in the lake of Gennesaret, when they labored all night and caught nothing; and in the morning, when the Master bid them to launch out into the deep, and let down the net for a drought; Simon Peter said, "Master we have toiled all the night, and have caught nothing; Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5). Yes, yes, if Jesus bids - then we must obey. We must be faithful - even when we are not successful. We cannot command success - but we can obey our Master's word. The commendation is not, "Well done, good and successful servant," but "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

We have toiled in vain for a long time, perhaps the very next attempt may be crowned with extraordinary success. Yes, my soul, if you have toiled and caught nothing, remember you toiled for Jesus, whose ministry was not the most successful. You toiled for Jesus - who toiled much more than you. O it ought to be enough, if we are only permitted to do something for Him - who has done so much for us! If we are only permitted to suffer a little for Him - who suffered so deeply for us! If in any way we are permitted to show our love, and acknowledge our obligation to Him! Yes, blessed, blessed Saviour, though we catch nothing, though we seem to toil in vain - yet at Your word we will let down the net!

As ministers of Christ, let us be encouraged by this! Let us be stimulated by this! It is at the command of Jesus, it is out of love to Jesus, it is to honor Jesus - that we preach and teach; and therefore however discouraging the circumstances in which we are placed, let us say, "Nevertheless at Your word, I will let down the net!"

6. I have at various times been much disheartened, and sometimes perplexed by the changeability of professors of religion. How many I have seen fall into sin, or run into error. Many have disgraced their profession, and many have cast off altogether. But there is a "Nevertheless" in God's Word that has comforted me, and set me right.

Paul, writing to his beloved son Timothy, speaks of some who had erred from the truth, and had overthrown the faith of others - but he adds, "Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: the Lord "knows those who are His. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from iniquity." Yes, the Lord knows His own - and can distinguish them from mere pretenders. He is not surprised, or disappointed, at anything that takes place - though I am. He knows whom He has chosen. He knows every one upon whom He has set His mark. He requires that all who profess Christ - should imitate Christ, and walk as Christ walked - departing from all iniquity.

Amidst all the changes then that may take place in the Church, if professors fall away, if they forsake the truth, and embrace error - God's foundation remains firm! None are removed from that foundation, who are once built on it, and cemented to it. The sheep never perish, nor can any one pluck them out of our Father's hand!

~James Smith~

(continued with # 3)