Two little words that change everything.
For many weeks, I’ve been looking at two very significant words in the pages of scripture – “But God.” These two words make their appearance at many critical junctures. It seems to be the perfect phrase that highlights God’s grace and God’s intervention at the darkest times possible.
“But God”…two words that indicate a change is coming. It is intended to challenge our faith, to help us see a contrast that will change our mindset. When God is brought into the picture, He makes all the difference.
Each of us have encountered situations in our lives where we just feel like giving up, walking away, saying, “What’s the use?” Maybe we’re thinking things won’t change or our hope is hanging on a thin thread.
Think about this verse: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 72:26).
Again: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Look at Ephesians 2:3-5, “among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy…made us alive together in Christ…”
The “But God” in scripture marks the relentless and merciful intervention of our God. To the left of “but God” is sometimes hopelessness, but to the right of the “but God” is our hope. It describes God’s activity – working through hopeless situations.
When my daughter Haylee went through ankle surgery in 2009, we didn’t know what the outcome would be. Would she be able to dance again? My mind created all kinds of scenarios. Then I went to scripture and found some “but God” statements. The enemy intended to harm Haylee, to bring discouragement to her soul, but God is going to use this for good, some how, some way, and He did. She prospered through it all.
These two words communicate a powerful message. It is God’s response to any challenge. You could even say that it’s His last word.
God’s intentions are to rescue, restore, reassure, redeem, resurrect and bring righteousness.
We also see this phrase used in yet another way, “I planted, Appolos watered, But God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Every “But God” reveals to us fantastic news. As we read through the Bible, we constantly come up against things that could have happened, then that little phrase pops up “but God” and the situation changes dramatically.
- Once we were dead in sin, but God made us alive!
- We may fail, but God is our strength and has everything we need!
- The enemy intends to harm us, but God intends good towards us!
- We do the work of God, but God gives the increase!
I encourage you to recall this phrase anytime you are lacking confidence, feeling weak in your situation, wanting to give up or can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will transform your view and change your mindset.
Definitions:
But/conjunction/(but): 1) used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned. 2)nevertheless; however. 3) on the contrary; in contrast
God/noun/the supreme or ultimate reality: as: the Being perfect in power, wisdom and goodness who is worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe (and so much more).
Your Turn
Find your “go to” scriptures when life challenges your faith and hope in God. No matter what situation comes knocking at our “door” or what challenges we encounter in this life, there are two little words that can change everything…
BUT GOD!
By Sharon Lobbs Garner