For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 2 Corinthians 7:5
It surprises and encourages me to think of Paul as having “fears within.” Then he continues, “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus …” I’m thankful for all the “but God” times in my life. Those times when God has intervened in my life and turned things around, even though sometimes it’s only my perspective that’s changed.
Quite often in the Bible, we come across this little expression “but God.” In David’s time, we read, “Day after day Saul searched for him but God did not give David into his hands” (1 Samuel 23:14). Saul chased David for many years and the reason he was never able to track him down was that God didn’t allow it. God interrupted the normal sequence of events.
Jesus was God’s biggest interruption. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We deserved hell but God interrupted the just consequences of our actions by sending Jesus to take the punishment in our place. It was God’s initiative to send Jesus and interrupted history forever.
Our own testimony should include “but God …” Once my life was heading in a certain direction “but God” interrupted. As we grow as Christians we find more of God’s interruptions. Once we acted in a worldly way, “but God” gave us his spirit. Once we thought in a worldly way, “but God” gave us the mind of Christ.
How grateful we should be that God takes the initiative and interrupts our lives.
