Text: Acts 7:6 (NKJV) – “But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years.”
We are taking a few days to consider the phrase “but God” in the Scriptures. We spoke yesterday about the fact there are a number of powerful 2-word phrases found in the Word of God. Each of these phrases is used in context with the power of God. However, there is one phrase used 45 times in Scripture that causes my spirit to leap for joy.
That phrase is: BUT, GOD!
This small two-word phrase communicates a tremendous message to all who will hear.
· It is God’s response to Satan’s challenge.
· It is the bottom line.
· It is the last word.
· It is the all over but the shouting.
So, today let us muse over another one of the ways Satan was defeated by this powerful phrase.
Yesterday, we saw that he thought he could stop the PLAN of God. Today let us ponder over the concept that he thought he could stop the PEOPLE of God.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 3 – 6 – “[Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
When God created Adam in the Garden of Eden, he was PERFECT – Genesis 1:26 reminds us that Adam was made in image of God. God is perfect, so Adam would be perfect. (There is a major discussion over what being in the image of God means – another topic, another time). For our time today, we are considering that Adam was created perfect in all ways.
But, he didn’t stay that way. Mankind became PUTREFIED – Genesis 3 records the account of this. From perfection to putrification – by disobedience.
· Created to be kings, they now find themselves as paupers.
· Once were friends with God – now are enemies.
· Mind once filled with thoughts of God, now has become breeding ground for lust and evil.
· Once were rulers – now are slaves.
· History’s greatest tragedy.
We see the results today of a perfect man, who disobeyed, and brought sin into a once perfect world. (Just think – we wouldn’t have this virus if this hadn’t happened). And, if we stopped at this point, it is a very dark, sad story to say the least.
“BUT GOD” intervened, and because of this, man has been PROMOTED. We saw in Ephesians 2: 6 – “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Because Christ died on the Cross, paid my penalty of disobedience, I am now a Child of God and I am now sitting in Heaven with Christ. Man was destined for an eternity in Hell – “But God.”
Your life was planned and created by God. (See Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11). Sin has caused some real problems in your life. You are separated from God, while He wants you to be close.
You too can be promoted – by the Blood of Christ!
You face a Christ-less eternity – “But God!”
Satan thought he could stop the PLAN of God, the PEOPLE of God and now see that we need to trust Him! After accepting Him – ponder over the truth of “But God!”
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