The “nevertheless” people!
Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
These are the people that never look at the odds. They are the ones that have done that, have been there, and earned that t-shirt. They know that what they have tried didn’t work and they have only one option left.
Peter was a fisherman by trade. He knew the season and when the fish would be caught. He knew the lake like the back of his hand. He fished all night and ended up with no catch. Nothing to show for him toiling all night long. I am a fisherman myself. I love fishing and I know the feeling of trying everything and still coming up empty handed. I know what it feels like when you try to justify about what went wrong. In this story we see Jesus appearing on the scene. He is about to speak a word over a dry season in Peter's life.
“Peter, let's go out and you let the nets down again.” I am sure that a hundred excuses ran through Peter’s head. “He is a carpenter, he does not know you don’t fish during the day.” God will cause a word to come to you that will look like it is out of season. His word will most probably not look like it fits the season you are dealing with. Jesus did not appear to confirm the season of failure; He came to change the season of failure for Peter.
Too many people are waiting for God to confirm their season and the things that they struggle with. He does not come to confirm your struggles; He comes to set you free from your struggles. “Peter, let's go back to your place of failure.” Peter acknowledged the fact that it was a failure for him, but the voice of Jesus was speaking louder than his failure to produce a meal for his family. Failure has a voice that can drown the voice of God. The victory came when Peter accepted the word of Jesus.
I call it the “nevertheless” people. Peter had no idea what the outcome of his obedience would be. He was just willing to follow the word. “We caught nothing, nevertheless at your word I will go and do what you asked of me.” When Peter made that statement, he saw the power that a word from Jesus carried. Are we allowing the word of God to be released because we agree with him more than we agree with the circumstances we see right now?
Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We are a “nevertheless” people. We have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live. What a statement. I am dead yet I am alive. I am dead to sin but alive to God. What do I see when I look at myself? Some days I see the dead man still trying to raise his head. Some days I still struggle with the flesh. Some days I have to take a stand and simply say: Nevertheless.
This is where faith is activated. We never deny that we have problems or even struggles, but we choose to declare the word that has come to us in our season of struggle. The budget looks like we will not make it this month, nevertheless He is still our supply and blesses us abundantly and above all we can ever ask or think. The doctor gave you a bad report, nevertheless He is still the one that determines the outcome. The children are acting up and not serving God, nevertheless He is still the Savior and redeemer and He loves the ones that run from Him. Nevertheless is the word that activates faith and releases His promise over our circumstances. Nevertheless is the word that brings changes to our season.
Jesus prayed that God would take the cup from Him. He knew what the reality was of what He was about to suffer. I love His prayer in Gethsemane. “Nevertheless not my will be done but your will be done.” Jesus was a “nevertheless” person. Nevertheless is the word of total surrender to His plan for your life. You know where you are today. You know how many times you have struggled and never saw the answer to your prayers. Maybe it is because you never got to the place where His voice is louder than your circumstances. Will you quiet down for a few minutes so you will hear Him speak? It might not sound like the answer you are looking for. Remember, He is is not there to confirm you struggle or your problem, He is there to change your season and put an end to your struggle. Become a “nevertheless” person today. He is waiting!