by Phil Enlow
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He filled the earth with many forms of life, including plants, animals, and man. Unlike the animals, however, man was created in the image of God, charged with the responsibility of ruling over God’s creation. Whereas animals mostly operate by inborn instincts, human beings, like their Creator, have minds, wills, and emotions.
Among the most meaningful abilities God has given to the human race are the ability to think and also to communicate thoughts and ideas. Different people groups share what we call languages. Languages enable us to turn these thoughts and ideas into sounds that convey their meaning with others who share the same language. Of course, language can also be written down and shared that way as well.
One of the key building blocks of language is “words.” A word is made up of sounds that convey a certain meaning that someone who speaks the same language understands. For example, a common word in English is the word, “sky.” If I were to say, “Look at the sky,” to someone who speaks English, he would know to look up.
Sadly, we know that our first parents chose to rebel against their Creator, choosing rather to set out on a path of rebellious self-seeking independence. Obviously, a race of self-seeking individuals will produce a lot of conflict and trouble. Even nature itself is full of contrasts, sometimes pleasant, other times stormy and dangerous.
The important word I have in mind is the word, “but.” “But” expresses contrast. For example, suppose there is a young man named John who is in a relationship with a young woman. One day she comes to him and says, “John, you are a wonderful man, and any girl would be lucky to be with you ….” What’s the next word? We all know that the next word is, “but.” Despite saying those nice things about John, what the woman is leading up to is breaking up with him, whatever the reason.
Does anyone suppose that John would walk away from that encounter and say to himself, “She thinks I’m wonderful! I’m so happy! She made my day!”? Of course not! The part that matters is not what comes before the word “but,” but what comes after. That is what is in control. Thus, John will walk away sad and disappointed.
We all use the word, “but,” in one way or another, mostly without thinking much about it. However, it matters greatly how we use it. One says, “It’s a beautiful day, but a storm is coming.” Another says, “A storm is coming, but we will be OK and the sun will shine again.” One is focusing on the storm and the other on the sun. Do you suppose that makes a difference?
Of course, it does! Even among natural earth-minded people we recognize that some are optimists and others are pessimists. One says, “The glass is half full,” and another says, “The glass is half empty.” Where do you suppose the Lord wants His people to focus their attention?
As we have pointed out, this present world is full of conflict and contrast. That conflict comes not only from human selfishness, but also from the unseen, but very real, kingdom of darkness that rules over the human race, blinding people to the reality of God and His purposes. Eph. 6:12; Eph. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:4. Apart from the gospel, we live on a prison planet, part of a race enslaved by the power of sin, destined for death and judgment.
The gospel represents a “divine invasion” of Satan’s domain. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue a people for Himself, to set them on the road to a very different destiny: an eternal relationship with Him, free from every taint of sin and death. The battle of the ages was fought long ago at the cross. The victory was declared when Jesus cried out, “It is finished.”
Jesus also declared in Matt. 16:18 that he would build his church and that the gates of hades would not overcome it. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Thus there are two kingdoms engaged in all-out war. Thank God, the victory was won at the cross, the final outcome determined. And yet, we know that Satan will oppose the calling out of God’s people till the very end. Hence, we all have our part to play in that war.
In Acts 14:22, we find Paul encouraging young believers, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” In 1 Tim. 6:12, Paul exhorts Timothy to, “Fight the good fight of the faith.” All of scripture testifies to this obvious truth that anyone who would serve God in this broken world will have a fight on their hands. How we handle that reality is very important! God longs for His people to experience the victory won at the cross in very real, personal ways.
Back to the word, “but.” Shortly before Jesus went to the cross, he shared many things with his disciples to prepare them for all that was to come. In John 16:33, he said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Do you see the clear contrast separated by the word, “but”? On the one hand there was the prediction of trouble; on the other they were to “take heart,” why, because he had overcome the world.
By putting the “take heart” and overcoming part AFTER the word, “but,” the focus was on the victory and not on the trouble. Suppose he had said instead, “I have overcome the world, but in this world you will have trouble.” The emphasis would have been on the trouble and not on the victory. Simply put, what follows “but” rules. It governs our thinking. It affects the outcome of the battles we fight.
And thus we see Jesus, honestly acknowledging the reality that trouble would come, yet focusing their attention on the victory he had won. Wouldn’t it be nice if we always did the same? What rules your everyday thinking? And mine?
Psalm 73 was written by a man named Asaph. King David had established a center of worship in Jerusalem and appointed gifted singers and musicians to continually offer up praise to God. Asaph was one of the appointed leaders. God used him, not only to exhibit his God-given talent as a singer but to lead worship that was divinely inspired, anointed. His activities were not about performance but true worship. What a place of privilege!
Psalm 73 begins with some very encouraging words. He writes, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” What a wonderful beginning! A widely known worship leader lifts up the Lord and encourages His people to serve Him from their hearts.
If only he had stopped there! Sadly, the next word is “but.” He continues, “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
It quickly becomes clear that this is not a passing thought, easily dismissed. Rather, it represented the ideas and thoughts that dominated his thinking, even while he continued to perform his duties as a worship leader.
His thoughts go on and on, noting that the wicked seem to prosper in all they do despite living in obvious rebellion against God. They are full of pride, violence, callousness of heart, full of evil imaginations, scoffing, malice, seemingly succeeding in every earthly endeavor while despising God. What a thing for Asaph to be thinking about while he stood before the people worshipping God!
Of course, the devil was right there to explain it all to him! In verses 13-14 he continues, “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.”
So, not only does he have to continue to lead worship before the people, his mind is filled with doubts as whether it is even worth it to serve God at all! Of course, the conflict between what he professes to believe and the doubtful thoughts he entertains troubles him greatly. He certainly does not want to let others know what he is thinking!
What a bad place to be! I wonder how many followers of Jesus find themselves in a similar place. They know enough truth to be able to say the right things about God and yet their everyday thoughts tend to be centered, not only on whatever “trouble” they may be experiencing, but also on the devil’s explanation of the reason for their troubles. In effect, far too many believers see themselves and their lives through the devil’s eyes rather than through the Lord’s.
Never forget that the devil is a liar. He has been one from the beginning (John 8:44). He knows better than anyone that he was defeated at the cross. His one chief weapon is the lie. He will tell people anything, as long as they remain blind to the truth of what God says. To the extent his lies are believed, he holds people in captivity. He is skilled at devising lies that appeal to corrupt human nature. Only truth will set people free. And Jesus is the very embodiment of truth (John 14:6).
For the world at large, people live under satanic deception, destined for a terrible end. And yet, even for many of God’s people, Satan is able to keep them in varying degrees of captivity through his lies. Like Asaph, they know the right things to say, but their actual daily lives are governed by Satan’s lies as he works to cause them to see everything through his eyes.
We don’t know how long Asaph struggled with this, but it no doubt went on for some time. What a time he must have had, still outwardly leading worship, smiling, and yet inwardly full of turmoil and doubt, hoping people wouldn’t notice. Was he the only one to experience something like this?
Thankfully, this is not the end of the story. At some point, as he wrestled with his thoughts, he reached out to the Lord and the Lord was merciful. He helped Asaph to see things from His point of view. Now, instead of seeing the wicked prospering and successful, he saw where they were actually headed. Whereas it appeared outwardly that they were on solid ground, Asaph was able to see that they were really on “slippery” ground headed for ruin. The truth began to set him free!
Of course, Asaph was filled with regret about his heart having been “grieved” and his spirit “embittered.” He saw, not only the truth about the wicked, but also the truth about himself! He refers to himself as “senseless” and “ignorant.”
And here is the best part! Even though he had been in that state, the Lord didn’t reject him! In verses 23-26 he writes, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” No doubt there was a new freedom in Asaph as he worshipped before the people! Isn’t that what the Lord desires for us all?
We all, at times, get in a place where we acknowledge truth with our lips while at the same time being actually focused on negative things that discourage and hinder. Our acknowledgment of truth is followed by “but.” Something else holds our thinking in captivity, blinding us to things God wants us to know and understand.
Scripture is full of the truth that God lovingly uses the troubles of this life to work His eternal purposes out in us, to prepare us for a glorious destiny. Rom. 8:28-30, 2 Cor. 4:17-18, for example. And yet, how often do we allow Satan to “explain” our troubles to us in ways that blind us to that truth.
And how often do the actual lies hinder us from drawing near to the Lord and being set free by the truth. “God’s mad at me.” “I’m a disappointment to Him.” “I’ve got to work it out, then I can come.” And on and on the lies go, anything the devil thinks he can get us to believe. The Lord desires us to come to Him and find freedom and yet we listen to the devil who says we can’t, at least not now. He will tell us anything he can think of to keep us from the freedom Christ purchased for us. May God enable us to lift up the “shield of faith” and quench the enemy’s “flaming arrows.” Eph. 6:16. We need a faith that does not depend upon present circumstances and feelings but rather rests firmly upon God’s promises.
We have another interesting use of the word “but” in Psalm 13, a psalm of David. He is clearly in a very difficult place. In verses1-2 he writes, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?”
Not only was David in a difficult place, it seemed as though the Lord wasn’t paying attention to him, didn’t care. This obviously wasn’t something that happened in a day but rather went on for quite a period of time. And during that time David was praying desperately for the Lord to hear and answer.
He continues in verses 3-4, “Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.”
Have you ever been in a place like that where it seems as though the Lord has gone off somewhere and isn’t listening? That’s how it seemed to David. And yet he didn’t give up, did he? He just kept on praying and seeking the Lord about the situation he found himself in.
One thing that encourages me about this psalm is that the Lord doesn’t rebuke David for expressing how he feels about his current need. David was honestly expressing how he felt as he prayed and the Lord didn’t jump in and say, “What’s the matter with you? You shouldn’t talk like that.” The Lord had helped David to see Him as a compassionate Father Who remembers that we are formed from the dust (Psalm 103:13-14).
I believe it would be very revealing to have been able to listen in to all that Jesus prayed while he walked among us! Heb. 5:7 says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Surely that describes his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before he went to the cross. He honestly told his Father how he felt yet wanted his Father’s will rather than his own.
And does anyone think that the devil wasn’t busy talking to David during his Psalm 13 experience? Of course he was! It was not only the difficult things he was experiencing that weighed David down, it was also the devil trying to make David see it all through his eyes and give up in despair.
What a bad place to be! It’s difficult enough to experience life’s troubles without being so bogged down focusing on them that we live lives of struggle and defeat, wondering if God even cares.
And David certainly experienced some very deep difficult times in his life – and God allowed them, even ordained them, to do a work in David, to prepare him for his place in God’s plan. God doesn’t send us battles that we might be defeated but rather that we might experience Christ’s victory in new ways and grow. There is no such thing as victory without battle.
I’m so glad that Psalm 13 doesn’t end with verse 4! Verse 5 begins with our key word: “but.” Psalm 13:5-6 reads, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
What a wonderful confession! Considering David’s present circumstances this is a very real example of faith in action. What a contrast we see between David and Asaph at this point. Asaph said the right things yet his mind was controlled by negative thoughts that made his confession empty. David honestly expressed his feelings about his circumstances – BUT – he made a very real confession about God’s unfailing love and faithfulness! Faith was in control! Throughout David’s life we see God allowing many troubles, yet always coming to David’s rescue. No doubt that was true of whatever the particular situation was in Psalm 13 as well.
This is a very simple and important lesson for us all. Whatever our thoughts are focused on reveals who we are listening to – and believing. Some know what to say they believe and yet actually live in defeat listening to the enemy’s lies. Others endure whatever hardship the Lord sends their way while steadfastly focusing on God’s truth. Their spiritual ears remain tuned to heaven and God uses it all to strengthen the convictions of their hearts. That is victory! Faith is simply actively believing what God has promised no matter how things look or feel. Don’t forget Hebrews 11!
Scripture is full of examples of the proper use of “but.” Perhaps one more would be profitable to point out and that concerns Paul, the apostle. Paul was a key figure in the early establishment of Christ’s kingdom. He was used to reach out in powerful ways to the Gentile world, truly a divine invasion of places where Satan had ruled. That invasion did not go unopposed.
From the time of his miraculous conversion to Christ, Paul was made aware that the life for which he had been chosen would not be an easy one. Acts 9:15-16. In several places he writes to believers reminding them of things he had experienced. 2 Cor. 1:8-11; 2 Cor. 6:3-10; 2 Cor. 11:16-33.
But, did all of these things cause Paul to live in a place of self-pity and complaint? Of course not! God used him as an example of victorious living in spite of all the things he experienced. One of the keys to this is simply the fact that Paul wasn’t focused on his own welfare but on that of those to whom he had been sent. He did whatever the Lord told him to do for their benefit while trusting the One Who had sent him for the strength to endure whatever it took.
This is made especially clear in 2 Cor. 4 – and Paul uses the word “but” several times! In 2 Cor. 4:7-12, after Paul talks about the fact that his knowledge of God had come by revelation to his heart, he writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”
In this passage we are given a glimpse, not only of the right way to use the word “but,” but also of the focus of Paul’s thinking. It wasn’t all about Paul, was it! His life had been laid down that he might be used to serve Christ’s interests and reach more and more people with the good news. Even as Christ laid down his life for us, so Paul laid down his life to reach people for Christ.
He was enabled to see – and think – about more than this present life and his personal welfare. He realized that all of this was temporary and ultimately meaningless and that serving Christ, whatever the cost, was worth whatever it took.
And so chapter 4 concludes, beginning with verse 15: “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
The Lord had enabled Paul to see everything through His eyes, and that ruled his thinking, not just in a general sense, but in his day-to-day experience. He saw life’s troubles, not only as temporary, but also as “achieving” something eternal that was glorious. He saw life’s troubles, not as something that was working “against” us but rather “for” us. That’s why every “but” was followed by a genuine confession of faith in God’s purpose and grace.
Paul and David got their “buts” in the right place! Never forget that whatever follows “but” is what dominates our lives in a practical sense. May God give us grace to get our “buts” in the right place as well!