Selah Saturday: But God

Selah Saturday: But God

I wrote this devotional for the ABC-VT/NH online newsletter. I'm reprinting it here for followers of my blog.

We all have favorite passages in the Bible. Perhaps you love the 23^rd Psalm, Mary’s Magnificat, John 3:16 or Paul’s writings about the Fruits of the Spirit. As much as I treasure those verses, the words I cherish most in the Scriptures are “but God.”

The phrase occurs numerous times throughout the Bible. A situation is going a particular direction, and then God intervenes, often quite dramatically.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish now what is being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20) Joseph is speaking to his brothers who came to Egypt for help during the famine. Even though Joseph had been wronged by his brothers, God used the incident as part of his plan to save the Israelites.

“But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.” (Acts 7:5) Have you ever received a promise from God that you thought was absolutely outrageous? Abraham must have felt that way when God gave him this promise – yet it was fulfilled when Abraham least expected it.

"You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” (Acts 3:14-15) If not for the fact that God resurrected Jesus, none of us would have a personal relationship with him. Because of our faith in a risen Savior, we are saved from death and destruction. 

Try to remember that it doesn't matter if we are being opposed or threatened, or waiting an interminable time for something to happen, or it seems that the task ahead is insurmountable, we can rest in the words "but God."