...But God

Jesus will make all the difference in your life. I don’t claim you will be without trouble nor do I pretend that you’ll be without problems. You will still make mistakes and will sometimes sin.

The apostle Paul, a Christian, had his share of problems but God has a way of taking our problems and making them profitable. He can take our troubles and do something tremendous.

Paul wrote:

I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.[i]

God took all his trouble, conflict and trepidation and turned it into joy. This is what God can do for those who trust him.

There are two little words in the bible which have great meaning and glorious consequences. Those words are these: “But God.”

Jesus was falsely accused, bogusly tried, unjustly condemned and crucified unto his death,
-but God raised him from the dead.[ii]

There will be those who deceive and defraud and there will be those who might seek to destroy or kill
-but God will be there to protect his children. [iii]

There will be those who seek to tear you down
-but God will lift you up.[iv]

We may have to let go of our loved ones when death comes calling, leaving us feeling so desolate,
-but God will be ever present.[v]

There will be people with evil intentions against you
-but God will use their plans to bring about something good in your behalf and in behalf of many others. [vi]

Your flesh and heart may fail,
-but God is the strength of your heart and your eternal portion.[vii]

You may not be getting noticed for the work you do and thus no promotion,
-but God is the one who can bring down those who are too high and lift up those who are stuck underneath.[viii]

We face every trial and temptation that all humans commonly face,
-but God keeps, protects and provides an escape for us through them all.[ix]

We were sinners and powerless to do anything about it,
-but God exhibited his great love for us through the death of Christ.[x]

At one time we had so given ourselves over to sin to the point that we had become sin’s slaves --but God intervened through his word and the working of his Spirit, set us free from sin’s bondage and converted us over to become servants of righteousness.[xi]

At one time we had no given sense of God’s love for us
-but God, by his Spirit, opened up the eyes of our understanding to know the things that have been freely given to us by God.[xii]

We were once dead in our trespasses and sins – dead to God and the things of God. We all walked on the devil’s treadmill, going nowhere but reaping the consequences. Our conduct was just like that of every other sinner in this world – evil. Our only goal was to fulfill our own sinful desires. By our depraved nature, we were deserving of God’s just punishment
-but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.[xiii]

You may be lost in your sins and without God – but God!
You may be on your way to hell – but God!
You may be addicted to things that will harm you – but God!
You may be hurting and discouraged – but God!
You may be without a friend in this world – but God!
You may feel unloved and shunned – but God!

He saves sinners and brings them out of darkness into his marvelous light.
He provides eternal life freely to all who believe in his Son.
He sets free and will set you free indeed.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He is a friend to sinners – the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He loves you and gave his Son

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[i] 2 Corinthians 7.5-6

[ii] Acts 13:30  

[iii] Genesis 31:7; 1 Samuel 23.14

[iv] Genesis 45:8

[v] Genesis 48:21 

[vi] Genesis 50:20 

[vii] Psalm 73.26

[viii] Psalm 75.6-7

[ix] 1 Corinthians 10.13

[x] Romans 5.6-8

[xi] Romans 6:16-18 

[xii] 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

[xiii] Ephesians 2:1-5