“And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there” (Num. 13:27-28).
Faith is a law that operates by believing and saying. Just like the natural law of gravity, this spiritual law works for everyone. If we jump off a platform, the law of gravity says we will hit the floor. And according to the law of faith, what we believe and say is what we will get.
The ten spies came back and told Moses and the people, “We entered the land where you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey. This huge cluster of grapes is the fruit of it.”
Now, if the spies had just stopped there, they would have been in good shape. But they said, “Nevertheless…” Then verse 32 says, “They brought up an evil report of the land….” (Notice that God associates an evil report with disagreeing with His Word!)
You know, that word “nevertheless” gets a lot of people in trouble, because it’s a sign of their unbelief. “Yes, Lord, we know what Your Word says; nevertheless….”
But I like the way Peter used the word nevertheless. One morning after he had come in from a bad night of fishing, Jesus showed up and told him, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4).
Peter replied, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy Word I will let down the net” (v. 5). As Peter obeyed Jesus, he and the other fishermen caught so many fish in their nets that their boats almost sank!
The ten spies said, “Oh, yeah, we know what the Lord said. Nevertheless, this is what we saw.” Now, if we’re going to use the word nevertheless, let’s use it the way Peter did: “Natural circumstances and the devil say this; nevertheless, I believe God’s Word!”
Giants of symptoms and evil circumstances may stand against me in my promised land. Nevertheless, through the power in God’s Word and Jesus’ name, I am an overcomer!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.