But God

If you’ve heard some of my messages I’ve taught over the years, you’ll know that one of my favorite phrases in the Bible is “but God.” In Genesis, we have that story of Joseph, where his brothers sold him into slavery. There God intervened and raised Joseph up to a place of prominence to save not only the nation of Egypt but the infant nation of Israel. When his brothers found out who he was, they were very afraid. But Joseph said these words, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:20a (NASB) Don’t you love that!?

We read in 1 Samuel that Saul pursued David day after day; he was relentless in his search. Every day when David woke up, he was waking up to fear, wondering, “Is this the last day of my life?” Fear, anxiety, pressure. Scripture goes on to say, “And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.” 1 Samuel 23:14b (NASB)

When King Jehoshaphat was in trouble with mighty armies coming against him, a messenger of the Lord encouraged the nation of Israel with these words:

In the book of Acts during Peter’s great sermon, he said, “you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again.” Acts 2:23b-24a (NASB)

Of course, when we talk about this issue of “But God,” we have to turn to Ephesians, “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:2-5 (NASB)

I trust you see why that’s one of my favorite phrases. Every day you’re waking up to fear, anxiety, and pressure. No matter what negative factor has come into your life, no matter what is causing you hurt and sorrow — it’s not the end of the story. God has a plan and it’s a good one. So today, with bad news all around us, I hope you’ll say it with me, “but God…”

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

He will sustain us with strength, hope, peace, and joy in the midst of very dark days. And if it happens that we die, we will open our eyes in the presence of the One who has said, “but God.”

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

Say it with me, and declare it to a world that needs to hear it! You are loved. Bless you, in Jesus’ name. Walk, my friends, in resolute hope.