[S] 1 Kings 11:2 --
2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.
[O] The word "nevertheless" in faith can have two different effects -- nevertheless pursue or ignore God. Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego "nevertheless" the circumstance of being thrown into the fiery furnace they would not turn away from God. But here Solomon "nevertheless" God warned him he could not let go of his desires to turn to God.
[A] If to believe in God or not is a 100m dash, then to "nevertheless" trust and turning to God despite all sorts of situations (Daniel's friends crisis was to choose death or trusting God while Solomon's crisis was his own indulgence in his own life) is like the marathon. I may have to make some dashes but the whole journey of my faith in God is a marathon of not giving up in God's hope for my life and keep on pursuing after His heart.
[P] Dear Father, I want to run the marathon with and for You, not giving up but to seek after Your heart despite the bumps in my life. I want to model after Daniel's three friends who nevertheless held on to You, not concerned with the outcome in their circumstance but totally trusting in Your love for them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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