These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.
Acts 7:9-10a (NLT)
Father, this morning those two words ring in my spirit, “But God.” They appear numerous times throughout the Scriptures, a highlight presented in the midst of what appears to be a bad situation. Like in Joseph’s situation. His brothers, the patriarchs of Israel, out of jealousy selling their brother into a lifetime of servitude. The circumstances for the young man appeared bleak. And for some time it was, with Joseph confronted by the challenges in Potiphar’s house and prison. “But God” became for him the defining fact. What his brothers meant for evil, You meant for good, refining Joseph through his circumstances and preparing him for what was to come. What they meant for evil, You meant for good. You caused it to work out (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). But God…
Today, my heart clings to those two words, looking for Your power and presence in my circumstances, knowing that You are in control and that You are “Romans 8:28ing” everything in my life. Father, You bring comfort to my soul when I see those words, “But God,” as I am navigating through the ups and downs of living. Like,
- When I’m dealing with the consequences of sin around me. Genesis 8:1 declares, “But God remembered Noah…” You will remember me!
- When I am wrestling with sin within me, Romans 5:8 reminds me, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I will trust in the finished work of Christ!
- When my enemies try to take hold of me, 1 Samuel 23:14 declares, “…Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” You’ve got my back!
- When I feel alone and forgotten Psalm 9:18 declares, “But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” I will place my hope in You!
- When I feel like I want to just give up Psalms 73:26 declares, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I will lean on You!
Thank You, Father, for being the exclamation point at the end of all my needs, the One Who is the reason those two words resonate with my soul, “But God!” Continue to remind me today and everyday of that central truth, “If God be for us, who can be against us? …For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31, 38-39).” It’s You, Lord. Thank You for interrupting and changing the course in all areas of my life. Amen!