Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:23-26

Nevertheless.

This word caught my attention as I was reading Psalm 73.

The first part of this Psalm is all frustration. Asaph was writing out his feelings about people enjoying things they didn’t seem to deserve. Proud, selfish people in his life were getting richer, and mean-spirited people seemed to have everything going their way.

He was jealous and trying to understand. Why weren’t these good things being given to God’s people? Why did evil people prosper instead? After several verses of complaining, Asaph went into the sanctuary and brought these feelings to God.

And this is where the Psalm takes a significant turn. I love this part because here in verse 23 is when Asaph says, “nevertheless,” and finds himself beginning to experience peace.

Nevertheless is a funny group of three words put together (never-the-less) that means “in spite of what preceded.”

In Spite Of

In spite of. Other translations of the Bible use the words “but” or “yet” in place of nevertheless.

No matter what words we use, I think we can learn from Asaph’s perspective here. Sixteen verses of frustration–followed by some time with God in the sanctuary–precede one of the most reassuring passages in scripture.

“Nevertheless,” he said, “I am continually with you.”

Maybe these verses in Psalm 73 can bring us back to peace, too. Maybe this funny word can help our frustrated and confused hearts take a significant turn back to Jesus .

When the news is heavy and overwhelming, we can say:

Nevertheless, I know that God is continually with me. He is holding my hand.

When we are not sure of our next steps and no doors seem to be opening, we can say:

Nevertheless, I trust that God is guiding me with his counsel and is leading me to glory.

When discouragement steals our joy, we can say:

Nevertheless, I have all the treasure of God in heaven. There is nothing on this earth that is worth more than him.

When our bodies are sick, weak, or fearful, we can say:

Nevertheless, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Our frustrated feelings? Our fears and confusion? Can we bring these things to Jesus and put them completely in his hands?

Wherever and whenever we meet with him, he invites us to tell him how we feel. We can imagine his grace and compassion wrapping around us as we pour out our hearts. We can ask him to remind us of his wisdom, truth, and faithfulness. We can ask him to give us exactly what we need. And…we can ask him to remind us of HIS “nevertheless.”

Let’s Invite Him In

Dear Jesus, Thank you that your ways are always higher than ours. You care about our hurting places more than we know. When life is hard and overwhelming, we can depend on you and the hope you give. Please help us to bring everything to you–trusting that you are always faithful. Amen.