Nevertheless # 3

Nevertheless # 3

7. Once more, I have seen great changes take place in the world, and greater changes must have taken place since the beginning; and greater changes will take place yet. But whatever changes may take place, however many, or however great - they ought not to disturb us; for the sure Word of God predicts them, and therefore we ought to expect them. Not only so - but we should look beyond them, to what is to be introduced by them, for so did the apostles and primitive believers.

Hence Peter having spoken of the day of the Lord, when "the Heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare;" adds, "nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new Heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness!" (2 Peter 3:13).

What a glorious prospect this opens before us! What a blessed "nevertheless" is here! New Heavens! A new earth wherein dwells righteousness! Prepared specially for the saints, and intended for the glorification of our blessed Lord and Saviour. I do not wonder that they sing above, "Unto Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father - to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen." Nor am I surprised to read again, "And they sung a new song, saying; You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth!" How glorious to reign on such a new earth! How delightful to reign with Jesus, to the honor of Jesus - as the purchase of His blood, and the beloved ones of His heart.

If therefore I witness changes, if I suffer losses, if I hear of earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, or the most terrible convulsions, or devastations - I will say with Peter, "Nevertheless, according to His promise, I am looking for new Heavens, and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells!"

But I must not enlarge,  though there are yet many more instances of the value and blessedness of this sweet word, "Nevertheless."

"When Nehemiah and the Jews were in trouble, he says "Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God," (Neh. 4:9), and this prayer was successful and brought relief.

When the Psalmist confesses the sins, provocations, and wickedness of his forefathers, he adds to the honor of God's free and unmerited grace, "Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known" (Psalm 106:8). How full of comfort is this, to souls deeply sensible of their utter unworthiness!

When Solomon speaks of the many devices that are in a man's heart, he adds for our encouragement, "Nevertheless the counsel of the Lord - that shall stand" (Prov. 19:21).

When Paul speaks of his persecutions, afflictions, and imprisonment, for the gospel, in his letter to Timothy - he adds, in order to fortify him, "Nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him, against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12).

And when alluding to the grievous and painful chastisement endured by the Hebrew Christians, for their comfort he adds, "Nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).

But if ever the word was uttered with inimitable grace, representing the most beautiful and lovely state of mind; it was when Jesus, lying on the cold ground in Gethsemane, said, "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me - Nevertheless, not as I will - but as You will" (Matt. 27:39).

~James Smith~

(continued with # 4)