Daily Reading: Psalm 106-107
Psalm 106:8
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Nevertheless is a big word. It means that which comes behind will never be less than that which is before it. Let me give you an example. When I was in eighth grade, which in our district was the beginning of high school, all the kids carried gym bags. These were made with the school colors and even had the school’s name and a picture of the school mascot on them. They were neat.
My mom promised me that on a certain day she would take me down to the local sporting goods store to buy one. Man, I was excited! Yet, something happened that made me believe that she would not make good on her promise. Somewhere in the middle of the first quarter of the school year they handed out these forms in each class that needed to be signed by one of our parents. Not everyone received one of these forms; they were only for a particular group of students. The name on the top of the form said it all: Deficiency Slip. It meant that the student receiving such was failing the class. I cannot remember how many I received that day, but I know it was in the majority of subjects I was taking. Study! Who had the time, right!
Well, I took them home and hid them. But mom found them. I can still recall her reaction, she was mad. My older sisters never participated in this special document, and she had never even seen one. How could this happen? In the Howe family nothing had ever taken place that was so bad. I was grounded until I was 60. Yeah, I just got out a couple of years ago!
So, the day came for the great transaction to be made. I resigned myself to the fact that in this life I would never obtain the coveted gym bag. I was destined to carry my gym clothes in a paper sack through my high school years. Upon returning home from school that day mom told me to go get in the car. I thought she was taking me to the Juvenile Hall in our town to drop me off for the rest of my life. So, I was confused when we pulled into a parking space in front of the sporting goods store. I worked up the boldness to ask if she was still going to buy me a gym bag. She said, “I promised I would, and I will, though you do not deserve one.”
You see, she was right. I didn’t deserve one, nevertheless, she made a promise. The promise was not contingent on my scholarly ability or even my behavior. It was just a simple promise from a mom to a son and she kept it.
Her promise would never be less than my behavior, it was greater. The same is true with God. Israel did not deserve His grace, mercy, or salvation, but for His name’s sake, to demonstrate His power, He saved them. Yes, nevertheless is a big word. I still have that gym bag, it’s a great treasure and reminder.
Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.
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