BUT GOD!

by Doug Pierce

“BUT GOD commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

BUT GOD!

Have you ever looked up the phrase “but God” in the Bible? You’ll find it in a lot of interesting situations where God intervened and did what only He could do!

Like in the story of Noah, for example. I’ve often wondered if he started to lose hope as he and his family floated around in that ark for weeks and months on end with all those animals on board. Genesis 8:1 tells us, “BUT GOD remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged (went down).”

Then we have the story of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery and thought he was dead. Yet God preserved him. He elevated Joseph to a position of great power in which he was in charge of all the food supply in Egypt. When a famine struck, those same brothers appeared before him one day asking for food. Joseph said to them, “But as for you, you thought evil against me;  BUT GOD meant  it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”(Genesis 50:20).

 Then, Moses and the nation of Israel faced the Red Sea…an impassable obstacle…with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. BUT GOD intervened. And what looked like a hopeless situation became a time of glorious deliverance. For the Bible tells us, “But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left (Exodus 14:29).

WHEN YOU THINK THERE’S NO HOPE REMEMBER…BUT GOD!

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was coming out of the Kroger on hwy. 51 in Madison when I heard a lady screaming! I turned and saw her being pulled by a car as she was holding on to her purse for dear life! Two thieves had grabbed her purse and were making their getaway! Finally she had to let go and fell to the asphalt. I ran over and helped her up. Mrs. Pat (As I learned later) was understandably very upset! I remember her crying and cursing and yelling, “My purse had several hundred dollars in it! And now it’s gone!” I immediately called 911. Then I told her, “Let’s pray!” She said, “What ____ good will that do…they’re gone!” I said, “I know Mrs. Pat, BUT GOD will answer our prayer!” I prayed, “Lord, please stop those thieves and help Mrs. Pat recover her purse and money!” When I opened my eyes two police cars had pulled up. I told them what happened and pointed in the direction in which the men drove off. One of the policemen took off after them. It wasn’t five minutes until the policeman radioed back to his partner, who stayed with us, and reported her purse was recovered, along with all of her money!  Praise God!

WHAT ABOUT YOU, TODAY?

Just like it happened with Noah, Joseph, Moses and, yes, Mrs. Pat . . . it can happen in your life today! Maybe, like them, you’re in a place where the only way out is God. He’ll do the same for you! “For I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). You can be sure of this: God is bigger than your problem! And God will always have the last word. Remember the words of Jesus, “With men it is impossible,  BUT NOT WITH GOD:  for with God all things are possible.”

Bring God into your seemingly hopeless situation! Call out to Him in prayer today! He is able!

Think it over . . .

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren. To find out more about Doug‘s ministry visit the FIMC Website

Feature Photo by Wallpaper Access