But the ten spies persisted that they could not go up, and all the people mourned and wept, and told Moses that they had better return to Egypt, for they would die in the wilderness, and their wives and their children would be a prey for their enemies.
Oh, how sad is want of faith! They forgot the power of God and the promises of God! They let Satan whisper in their hearts that, after all, God would fail them, and though the land was beautiful and full of food and plenty—"Nevertheless" there were too many enemies to face.
God was very grieved at the unbelief of the people, and He said that none of those who had distrusted Him should enter into the land of Canaan, but their children should in due time enter in and possess it.
This is a solemn lesson for us all. There are right times to say "Nevertheless."
Peter said to Jesus: "Nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net," and they got a great draught of fishes!
Paul said: Nevertheless the Lord stood by me, "and strengthened me," and he fought a good fight to the end!
God did not forget the faithfulness of Caleb and Joshua; for Joshua was chosen, years afterwards, to lead the people into the land and to fight the Lord's battles; and Caleb, "because he had wholly followed the Lord," entered with his children into the Promised Land, and had a happy possession in it.
It was true of them both: "None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate."
