BUT GOD - SATAN' LOST BATTLE

Text: Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) – “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

We have taken a few days to consider the phrase “but God” in the Scriptures. We spoke the last three 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.

We have viewed how Satan thought he could stop the PLAN of God, the PEOPLE of God, and the POWER of God. Except for one thing - “But God!

I read this somewhere, and thought that it could challenge us as we close this short study –

“Born in a stable, His mother a virgin, raised in a carpenter shop
His parents were poor His people were slaves, His friends were a lowly lot
His chances in life seemed so very slim, He’s expected to be a slave.
But people in darkness saw a great light in Him And the hope of freedom He gave.

All of the power of heaven and earth God had invested in Him.
He’s to die on the cross, descend into hell, Meet the devil, take the keys from Him.
He yielded Himself to the death on the cross, Cried it’s finished and slumped to die,

In the regions of hell the devils celebrated, we’ve destroyed the king they cried!

In the midst of the celebration, footsteps were heard Walking through the corridors of hell
Then the shouting stopped as a voice rang out, a voice that rang like a bell
Satan then trembled as he recognized Him Who had come to deliver His own.
"Shut and lock the gates", he cried "Don’t let Him ascend to His throne!"

So the gates swung shut in the face of the King To prove God’s salvation untrue. But He shook Hell’s gates and cried "lift up your head The King is coming through"! And out of the devil’s prison-house came A procession led by the King Shouting "Now o, grave where is thy victory And death where is thy sting!"”

Don’t listen to the lies and disparaging words of our enemy. Even in a crisis or traumatic time realize that God has the final word!

“But God!”

See things from the Father’s perspective.

Incline your ear and hear “But God!”

·      Satan says defeat, but God says victory!

·      Satan says disease, but God says healing!

·      Satan says you’ve blown it, but God says He’ll forgive!

·      Satan says it’s too late, but God says there’s still time!

·      Satan says to wait until later, but God says today is the day!

·      Satan says to roll over and play dead, but God says stand up!

·      Satan says to give up, but God says to reach up!

·      Satan says it’s over, but God says not yet!

Hold on to the truth from God’s Word. Live as a Believer. And today when Satan tries to tell you all is lost just remind him

BUT GOD!

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.

BUT GOD - SATAN STOPPING THE PEOPLE OF GOD

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!”

BUT GOD - SATAN STOPPING THE PLAN OF GOD

Text: Isaiah 17:13 (NKJV) – “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

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 one of the ways Satan was defeated by this powerful phrase.

You see, Satan thought that he could stop the plan of God.

He sought to destroy the nation of Israel – sought to eliminate them from the world and history. Why? Often Satan sought to end the Jewish race – because he knew the Messiah would come from them. Satan believed that if he eliminated the nation of Israel – God’s plan would be thwarted – and he would win! After all the promises of God to Abraham and others – if Israel was eliminated then they couldn’t happen. And, he knew if they failed – God would fail.

“But God” had things in control.  He would defeat this plan by using a youth named – Joseph. You probably know the story (if not, take time to read Genesis chapters 37-50). In this section of Genesis (around 25% of the book), we trace the life of Joseph and how God defeated the plan of Satan. In Chapter 37 we find Joseph as a very prideful young man. God was going to need to change him before He could use him. So, also in chapter 37, we see Joseph thrown in a pit and sold as a slave. He was taken to Egypt (God’s plan was to take place here) and bought by the Chief Executioner of Pharaoh – Potiphar. Through a series of events, Potiphar cast Joseph into prison also chapter 39). While in prison a series of events take place, and Joseph is brought before Pharaoh. And, by interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, he winds up being elevated to the second in command of Egypt (right where God wanted him to be).

IN the New Testament we read in Acts 7: 9 – ““And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him”

You see, God had a plan for Joseph. God was going to save His nation of Israel by the hand of Joseph. He just needed Joseph in the right mood, in the right place, at the right time. God has a plan for you – for your life.  Satan will try his best to stop it – “But God”

God has a plan for your church – Satan will try to stop it – “But God!

Satan could not and cannot destroy the PLAN of the Father.

Even during the trying times of today, wait patiently (as Josephs) for God to get you in the right position, in the right timing (His), and the right place. Satan cannot thwart the plans of God. He cannot win (I have read the last chapter of the Bible). God will be victorious in His way, in His time, in His purpose.

Trust Him! While waiting for Him – ponder over the truth of “But God!”

BUT GOD! FOR THE CRISIS WE HAVE BEEN IN --

Text: Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) – “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

We have just finished a study of the Perverse Prophet of the Old Testament – Jonah. There was a multitude of lessons to learn from him and his experience. We are starting a 5-part muse on a challenge against Satan by God. We have been going through a chaotic, traumatic season with this Covid-19 virus. It has challenged scientists, scholars, and literally everybody. Quarantined for a very long time. Families not being able to be together. Many deaths. All appears as a losing battle.

Where is God in all this? Why did He appear silent? Didn’t He care? Couldn’t He have stopped it? All good, legitimate questions that people ask – and yet we don’t seem to have any good responses. Isaiah 55:9 (NKJV) says – “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” We can often only guess at the plan and purpose of God. However, one thing we can know – it will always be right.

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.

“But God” stands diametrically opposed to the negative roar of the world.

·      The world says no – “but God” says yes.

·      The world says can’t – “but God” says can.

·      The world says won’t – “but God” says will.

·      The world says stop – “but God” says go.

·      The world says don’t – “but God” says do.

·      The world says defeat – “but God” says victory!

“But God” climbs the highest mountain; traverses the darkest valley; and sings songs of victory in the midnight hour.

“But God” exclaims, “I’m going to the enemy’s camp and I’ll take back what he stole from me!”

“But God is courageous, confident, and conclusive!”

I’m speaking to you today from God’s perspective. I’m encouraging you to put on your Kingdom glasses and see things as God sees them.  We will call this a Biblical Worldview!

We hear the old phrase – “It’s not over when the fat lady sings” - I want you to know it’s not over until God says it’s over! I’ve come to exhort you to stay for the entire game – wait until the last seconds tick off the clock; until the “home team” has had its chance. Wait until the last out is made! The last basket, the last goal, the last point is placed on the scoreboard!

If you quit too soon, you’ll leave before victory is seen. I want to tell you today that the jury may still be out in your situation – all the votes are not in -- the fat lady has not sung – But God hasn’t had His final say.

I’m speaking about the subject “But, God . . .” in the following devotions. May I remind you that in that book of miracles you hold in your hand, there are many instances where our adversary [Satan] is confounded and confused. There are stories of his elaborate schemes going awry because he failed to realize that God would have the final say. Poor devil! He had worked so hard to get everything just right, yet just when he thinks he is victorious, he hears “But God!”

So, over the next four days, let’s look at a few of Satan’s schemes and his defeats by our Almighty God.

Say this out loud with me right now – “But God!”