But...

“But.” This little word is called a “conjunction” in English. It’s used to introduce a contrast, or an exemption, to whatever topic went before it. Our Bible is filled with contrasts between what the world thinks and what God will do.

This very week, while world powers meet to establish ‘peace and security’ through tyranny, God has other plans… “BUT of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. For you know accurately that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, ‘Peace and Security,’ then sudden destruction shall come upon them, as labor pains on a woman with child, and they shall not escape.”

The world will be caught by surprise… “BUT you, brethren, are not in darkness that that Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all children of Light and children of the Day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do (regarding the times), but let us watch and be sober (serious, alert and ready).” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-4)

Throughout the Bible we read of the contrast between what God offers us in Christ, or what we experience in this sin-sick world. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. The one who follows Me shall not walk in darkness BUT shall have the Light of Life” (John 8:12) … “The world is passing away, and the lusts of it: BUT the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

When Christ returns the divide will be final. Wrath on the world, BUT rescue for those who are right with God through the forgiveness offered in Christ… “For God has not appointed us to wrath, BUT to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)