BUT GOD - SATAN STOPPING THE POWER OF GOD

Text: Acts 13:30 (NKJV) – “But God raised Him from the dead.”

We are taking a few days to consider the phrase “but God” in the Scriptures. We spoke the last two days 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.

We have viewed how Satan thought he could stop the PLAN of God and the PEOPLE of God. Today let us ponder over the concept that he thought he could stop the POWER of God.

In Acts 13: 28 – 30 we read  – “And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead.”

We see here the full account of the Gospel message for Salvation. In the Old Testament in Isiah and the Psalms, we find a number of prophecies about Christ. Isiah predicted (Isaiah 53) that Jesus would be pierced. And the Psalmist in Psalm 22 gives a vivid description of a person being Crucified (the torture of Crucifixion was a Roman development centuries later). John 19:38 speaks about the burial of Jesus. For a seed to grow, for something to bloom it must first be planted. On the day of His crucifixion, Jesus was planted in the grave from which would grow our and bloom the sweet promise of our forgiveness and adoption into the family of God. On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ rose from the tomb, alive and powerful. He arose by His own power to show that He had defeated death and Hell. And from this, He has become our provider – (Matthew 28:18)  “All authority is given” of Salvation and Eternal Life.

Jesus is our PIERCED, PLANTED, POWERFUL PROVIDER!!

Satan thought he could stop the PLAN of God, the PEOPLE of God, and the POWER of God. If we understand this, believe with our hearts, and see our need to trust Him – if we come repentant, asking for what He offers, Jesus will come into our lives as Lord and Master. He will change us into His likeness, and He will give us new life – even in the midst of trials and crises.

After accepting Him – ponder over the truth of “But God!” Tomorrow, we will have one last thought on this topic.