By Wendy Wood
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Acts 3:15 (NIV)
We are very quick to look at our circumstances and allow our feelings to determine if things are “good” or “bad”. If things seem to be going as we want them to go, we feel happy or content and determine life is good. If situations are not going as we hoped they would, or what we expected to have happen, we tend to get frustrated or discouraged and think life is not good. “But God” are the two words that dispel the belief that our perspective or view of our circumstances can determine if our circumstances are “good” or “bad”.
As Jesus was hanging on the cross, circumstances did not look “good”. Jesus was bloodied and his flesh was torn and hanging from his body. His cheeks were tear-stained and the dirt from the long walk made mud as his tears of pain and hurt mixed with the dusty earth. The Romans soldiers and Jewish elite were cheering and declaring victory over the traitor and rebel they believed Jesus to be as Jesus suffered and died. The disciples were confused and bewildered that the Messiah they had followed and believed in for three years was now dead. They wondered if they had just wasted three years of their lives and abandoned their livelihoods for nothing. The sobbing crowd and the cheering enemies saw this same event from different perspectives. The sobbing crowd mourned the loss of the One they hoped would rescue them from Roman rule and set up His own kingdom on earth to reign. The cheering soldiers and Jewish elite were convinced their problems had been solved. The death of Jesus meant their leadership and influence would not be questioned anymore and they could regain their status as respectable, honorable, important men.
Nothing more clearly shows that God is the decisive, sovereign ruler every single moment in time like the words “But God”. No matter how circumstances look, God is who determines the outcome. “But God” reminds us that God is always at work for His purpose, His will, and His glory.
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Acts 3:15
The death of Jesus did not surprise or frustrate God. We know from Ephesians 1 that God purposed Christ to die “before the foundations of the world”. We see in Genesis 3 that God had already planned that Satan would bruise Jesus’ heel, when Jesus died on the cross, but Jesus would crush Satan’s head, when Jesus raised up from the dead victorious over Satan, sin, and death. When the situation looked bleak and without hope, God’s plan was being carried out.
But God reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. Human wisdom would never have a crucified Savior, but rather a ruling and reigning one like the Israelites were hoping for.
But God reminds us that God’s plan is always carried out. When circumstances look bad, when we think nothing good can possibly happen from this terrible situation, we are reminded that God is working all things according to the purpose of His will.
But God reminds us that nothing can thwart God’s plan. Satan, enemies, and even our own sin, cannot alter or change God’s perfect plan. What man intends for evil, God will use for good. What Satan attempts to tear us from God’s grasp, God’s hold on his children is secure.
But God reminds us that God is all-powerful and that nothing happens outside of his control.
This series of blogs has addressed several different stories and situations in scripture that involve a “But God” statement. Think about what would have happened if “But God” wasn’t there.
Take some time to thank God for the “But God” moments in His word!