Strongholds

I read something this weekend that really struck me, so I'm going to sidetrack from Gary Gilley's book today and re-visit Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado.

(2 Sam. 5:6-9) And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,"...Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites...he shall be chief and captain."...Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David.

This regrettably brief story tantalizes us with the twofold appearance of the term stronghold. In verse 7, "David took the stronghold," and in verse 9, "David dwelt in the stronghold."

The Jebusites pour scorn on David like Satan dumps buckets of discouragement on you:

"You'll never overcome your bad habits."
"Born white trash, gonna die white trash."
"Think you can overcome your addiction? Think again."

If you've heard the mocking David heard, your story needs the word David's has. Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let's not. Pull out a pen and underline this twelve-letter masterpiece.

Nevertheless.

"Nevertheless David took the stronghold..."

Wouldn't you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography? Born to alcoholics, nevertheless she led a sober life. Never went to college, nevertheless he mastered a trade. Didn't read the Bible until retirement age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith.

Why listen to the mockers...when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?

Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them.

He gave one to Pete. Remember him? Speak-now-and-think-later-Pete? God released Satan's stronghold on his tongue. For proof, read Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2. God turned impetuous Peter into the apostle Peter (Luke 22:54-62)

And Joe, the failure? Fired by his family. Jailed by his employer... Can Jobless Joe ever amount to anything? Joseph did. He became prime minister of Egypt (Gen. 37-50).

What about the five-time divorcee? The woman whom men discarded, Jesus discipled. Last report had her introducing her entire village to Christ. The Samaritan woman was Jesus's first missionary (John 4:1-42). Further proof that "God's mighty weapons...knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4).

Peter stuck his foot in his mouth.

Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt.

The Samaritan woman had been married five times.

Jesus was dead in the grave . . .

Nevertheless, Peter preached, Joseph ruled, the woman shared, Jesus rose - and you?

You fill in the blank. Your nevertheless awaits you.

Blessings, this Tuesday!