BUT GOD

        Right now, a number of people that I love are struggling. A close friend lost a sweet sister and now another loved one in her family has suddenly gotten desperately ill.  Another very dear friend is battling cancer--how I despise that disease.  Another loved one struggles with loneliness and disappointment. A wonderful family in our neighborhood just lost a beloved young father and husband.  It feels like too much on top of all the isolation, sadness, division, and difficulties assailing all of us. What a sin-sick, broken world in which we live. 

        But God. 

        Oh yes, But God...

        "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded." Gen.8:1

        "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen.50:20

       "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."Ps.73:26

       "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Mt.19:26

       "And he said, 'Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.'" 2Chron.20:15

        "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24

        "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom.5:8

        "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." I Cor.1:27

        "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." I Cor.10:13

         "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. . . and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." Eph.2:1, 3, 4-5

         Praise God that He always, always, always has the last word. And His Word stands firm, eternal, unshakeable, and supernaturally powerful. Because it is His Word. Backed by His power and His great name and character. I can't make these sorrows disappear or heal these diseases or make all these losses go away, much as I desperately want to--But God. But God is the One to whom I pray.  But God is the One who has all power, all love, all grace, all provision, all compassion, all healing. But God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think (Eph.3:20). But God has promised that He will somehow, someway cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Rom.8:28) 

          I don't how or why or when. I'm baffled and furious over this suffering...BUT GOD.  He is able. He is able. He is able. And we hand it all to Him. Take it Father. We can't...but You can. 

         So cancer, sickness, loneliness, death, division, covid, and every other enemy assailing us right now, you're days are numbered. Because we place our trust in the Lord God Almighty. The Lord of Hosts. Our job is to pray...and His job is to fight. We do what we can...but He does what we can't.  

         No matter how dark or discouraging the way before you might look, there is a "But God" just ahead. If you doubt that, look at the cross and then turn your gaze to the empty tomb.  So keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep following His nail-scared feet.  Keep walking, step by slow step.  Because your "But God" is coming. Always and forever. 

          To God be the glory.