Who hasn’t noticed? The world is bizarre and getting worse…fast! Good writers begin with an illustration to grab your attention. But I needn’t burden you. Media is full of them bombarding us with misery, scenes of terror, hate, immorality, and the grossest acts of sin in high and low places. Indeed, the shenanigans of media stars themselves are news stories. Evil is pervasive, almost unavoidable, and is taking its toll on the tranquility of our lives, our homes and our children. The world is broken. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put it together again, human kings that is. But God can.
Oh how I love those two words “But God,” used over and again in Scripture to demonstrate God’s mighty power to intervene at the darkest hour. I often hear myself saying, “but I… followed by a human platitude or lame excuse. But I can do it myself… But I’m smarter… But it’s my life. Or on the negative side, But I’m worried… But I’m so tired… But I don’t know how… But that’s not my calling… But I’m broke… But I would have, if only… and on and on. You get the gist. Fact is, without Christ, I can do nothing. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The Bible is loaded with “But God” statements. They jump out at you with encouragement:
“You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to . . . save many people alive” Gen. 50:20.
Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. 1 Samuel 23:14
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27
But God raised him from the dead… Acts 2:24
But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Psalm 49:15
But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. 1 Kings 5:4
But God demonstrates his own love for us… while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us… Ephesians 2:4
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:7-8.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard . . . the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” 1 Cor. 2:9-10.
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Ps. 73:26
But God is faithful who not allow us to be tempted more than we are able. 1 Corinthians 10:13
The world is going to get much worse before it gets better. But we cling to Jesus promise, “I will come again and receive you unto myself... John 14:3
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6
When things go wrong, reach the worst or collapse … but God! When all hope is gone… but God! When the Enemy comes in like a flood… but God! God! First, best, last, always!
