44 But God...

 

Copyright © 2022 Michael A. Brown

‘But God…’ (Eph. 2:4 AV)

      Only two small words, but probably the two most atomically powerful words in the whole of the word of God.  They show what God can do in the face of human impossibilities when we have reached the end of our resources, that our extremity is his opportunity.

      You have strived, and you have tried.  You have come here, and you have gone there.  You have tried every way you know how, and you have exhausted every human avenue you were able to discover.  But ultimately it was all to no avail.  Nothing worked, and you eventually came to a dead end as far as human skills and resources are concerned.  Part of you feels deeply discouraged, because you know there is nothing more you can do.  You are tempted to lose hope altogether…

      However, it is often then that God begins, it is then that he works.  But God…  He is very patient, and he often leaves us to reach the end of ourselves, because he knows that, when he does work, we will then give him all the glory for what he did.  We will know deep in our heart that it was not us, it was not anyone else, it was God that did it.  But God…  This is the hope that we have, even in the midst of our deep discouragement, that even though human skills and resources have not availed, yet we have a God who is still able.  But God…

      Hannah strived and her heart broke.  For years, she was taunted and mocked.  She wept and prayed.  And as she poured out her soul to God, she eventually reached the very end of herself.  It was then that God worked and did what only he can do.  Her barrenness was soon turned into joy and Samuel was born.  She had a son and became a happy mother, and God brought a prophet into the world.  But God…

      Similarly, Abraham and Sarah struggled for many years with God’s promise to them.  His word was clear: they would have a son.  But the years passed and, although they tried and tried, nothing happened.  They even had a son via Hagar, but Ishmael was not the fulfilment of God’s promise to them.  They eventually became old, and it got to the point where it seemed impossible for God’s word ever to be fulfilled.  It couldn’t happen.  And it was then that God worked.  But God…  Their extremity was God’s opportunity.  God appeared to Abraham again, and told him that Sarah would get pregnant and give birth within a year.  Sarah overheard this, but she laughed in unbelief.  However, God worked.  God did what only he could do, and he worked a physical miracle in their lives.  He brought glory to himself.  Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac, and for his part God had someone who would inherit his covenant promises after Abraham.  But God…

      The woman with the issue of blood had had her problem for twelve long years.  Perhaps caused by a fibroid down below, she could not stop the intermittent bleeding.  In her desperation, she tried everything she knew.  She went to every doctor she could find, and she spent almost every penny she had, trying to find a cure and get well again.  But all ultimately to no avail.  No-one could help her, and her bleeding continued.  She must have been so discouraged.  It was then that she heard about Jesus, that he had come to her town and was healing the sick.  But God…  Renewed hope arose in her heart, and she got up and went to him.  Pressing and pressing through the uncaring crowd, she eventually managed to get close enough to be able to grab hold of the hem of his garment in faith.  And it was at that moment that the power of God was released into her body, and she was completely healed.  But God…

      My friend, I do not know what you are facing today.  It might be incurable sickness, financial problems or unemployment, barrenness, a problematic teenage child, a seemingly unresolvable problem in your marriage, or something else.  You have struggled for a long time, perhaps even for years.  You have tried and tried, but you have still found no answer.  Nothing has changed.  Then remember today these two small but powerful words: ‘but God…’ and take them as God’s word to you.  Even if human resources ultimately fail, God can still do it for you.  When you are at the end of yourself, he is still able to change and transform your situation and to bring his own power to bear.  Do not lose hope, do not give up, he can indeed do for you what only he can do!  But God…