But I

Yesterday, I posted many of the things God does for us as He intervenes in multitudes of difficult situations with the two little words: “But God.” We can see God invading darkness and trouble and inserting His greatness into impossible circumstances. Now I want to look at how I might respond to difficulties. In each of the verses I am highlighting, we can see trouble and strife on every side. Instead of falling apart, you can see these great men crying out with these words…”But I…” (I did not use the “but I” words of God or Christ…only those responding to His presence.) Sometimes you need to look at the surrounding verses to catch the full context. 

None of these statements and verses are coming from a place of superiority or criticism in my heart - I have failed in so many ways throughout my life - more than I can count!! But I desire to be pleasing to the Lord in all of these things - I pray each of the following verses over my life and yours as you read this list:

• Others see trouble on every side...but I will follow the Lord with all my heart - Josh. 14:8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

• Others may come with their own strength, riches or power…but I will go out in the name of Lord – no matter what giants I have to face - 1Sam. 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

• Others may give to God "on the cheap" ...but I will make offerings to the Lord with all my heart. I will not offer something to Him that cost me nothing - 2Sam. 24:24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

• Others may give in to the discouragements of the enemy...but I will trust in God’s mercy and grace no matter what - Ps. 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. (Ps. 31:6; Ps. 55:23)

• Others may trust in riches and their own strength...but I will flourish in God’s kingdom just like an long-lasting, evergreen, fruitful tree - Ps. 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

• Others may run around doing wicked things and praising themselves...but I will sing praises to the Lord from morning to night - Ps. 59:16 But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.

• Others may seek to bring trouble to me on every side...but I will never loose hope in God - Ps. 71:14 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.

• Others may do great wickedness...but I will praise God forever in word and song - Ps. 75:9 But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

• Others may forget the great mercies of the Lord in their lives...but I will always remember the things God has done - Ps. 77:10 And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

• Others may speak against me and accuse me of many things - even lies...but I will commit to prayer – especially during intense difficulties - Ps. 109:4 In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer.

• Others may cause great strife in my life...but I will remember the Word of God, and keep His ways with all my heart - Ps. 119:61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. (Ps. 119:69; 119:78; 119:87; 119:95)

• Others may give up as soon as trouble comes...but I will always hope in God’s Word - Ps. 119:81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.

• Others may seek answers from various people and places...but I will always love God’s Word - Ps. 119:113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. (Ps. 119:163)

• Others may promote themselves and look for titles and positions...but I will seek to decrease, while I long for Christ to increase in every part of my life - 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

• Others may serve God out of their own interests...but I will go out with God’s full blessing - Rom. 15:29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

• Others may fail the tests of holiness that often come our way...but I will discipline myself so that I might walk in integrity - 1Cor. 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

• Others may serve the Lord in their own strength...but I will yield to God’s grace and make sure that I do everything in His strength (and not my own strength) for the kingdom’s sake - 1Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

• Others may preach their own pet doctrines and look for honor in their own words...but I will seek to preach a pure Gospel, not tainted by man’s ideas - Gal. 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

• Others may give up before the end - weighed down by the trials of faith...but I will press on without excuses, and take hold of God in all situations, seeking to attain everything he has purposed for me - Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me

See the powerful words: But God...HERE