Tuesday, October 5: “But God…”

On Sunday, we gathered in a multi-purpose room for a potluck lunch, and then proceeded to worship the Lord in song and Bible study. It was a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord and with each other. Yet most people would have difficulty finding a common denominator in gathering this group together. A year ago, I was struggling in a church that was in the midst of change and brokenheartedly felt God closing that door to me. Others in our group had come from various states across the country, having recently completed rehabilitation for substance abuse. Additionally, we had loving parents visiting, all strong followers of Jesus. There also were a handful of brothers and sisters in the Lord there to help, and to be a part of God’s miracle. Lastly, we had another group member seeking to find a relationship with the Lord, enduring many earthly trials in the process. No person would have brought this group together, but God did.


“But God!” There are few, two-word phrases that offer such power. No matter what the world demonstrates, God’s hand can change it all in a second. Ever since the covering angel Lucifer rebelled against God and fell from heaven with one-third of the heavenly host of angels, he has been battling against God on this earth. Our mighty Lord allows that battle for His own purposes, yet Satan’s pride makes him think that he has a chance at victory against the God who created him.


26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead.
Acts 13:26-30


God had a plan for salvation before the foundation of the world, and that plan included the life, death and resurrection of His Son on the cross. When Jesus died, Satan and his demons certainly began to celebrate, and that celebration continued for three days. But God resurrected Jesus from death, opening the door for our relationships with Him. God turned Satan’s greatest victory into his greatest defeat in that moment! In 45 different verses in the New King James Version, and 47 verses in the King James Version, the phrase, “But God,” is included. Throughout the Bible, God takes defeat and turns it into victory in the lives of believers. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, yet God elevated Joseph to the second most powerful man in Egypt, and then used Joseph to supply food for God’s chosen people in the midst of drought:


But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Genesis 50:20

Through the writings of Paul, God reminds us that we walk by faith, not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7). In a nutshell, when we are trusting in God, it does not matter how strongly the odds are stacked in favor of the enemy. It doesn’t matter if you look outside of your window and see a destructive storm of immense proportions. It doesn’t matter if an attacking army has you in its sights. God is capable to deliver us from anything. Battles, diseases and any other obstacles are nothing in His path, yet He may choose to deliver us by taking us home. Additionally, He might desire for us to endure those trials to draw us closer to Him in the process. We can do nothing without Him! But God? With Him, all things are possible!


My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26


No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13