We know the world is a mess, but God is greater, so much greater!
By Dick Alexander
Those who read the Bible regularly, love it. And they love the words of the Bible, knowing they were chosen carefully by the human authors and the Holy Spirit. Even in our translations of the original texts, the very words ring with meaning. Here are two that are striking: "But God…”
In any sentence, the word “but” signals a critical transition. For example, a person who says, “I know I’m no angel, but…” is not making a confession; they are about to fix blame on somebody else. What’s before the “but” is inconsequential compared to what follows it. The latter half of the statement is the real point. It’s what matters.
So it is, with “But God…” Scripture has a few dozen “But God…” statements. They drip with power, the power of God over the mess of our world.
Good from evil
Possibly the best known of these is in the story of Joseph. Sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, he met them again decades later when they came to Egypt in search of food during a famine in Canaan. Through his faithful and excellent service in Pharaoh’s household, Joseph had risen to second in authority in the land. In a series of shocking events, he revealed himself to his brothers, and their father was brought to Egypt. After the father’s death, the brothers were terrified Joseph would kill them, at which point he said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.” He held a radically different view of life, one shaped by a God who could bring good even from evil.
We understand the world is a mess, yet that isn’t the whole story. It’s not even the majority of the story. We know a God who is so great he can even turn evil into good outcomes.
Strength in anguish
One of the best things about Scripture is its realism—it doesn’t sugarcoat. It’s frank about ugliness and pain. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Strong words: afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. And those are things he says are part of the normal Christian experience. Yet the “But God…” passages remind us those aren’t the end of the story.
Photo by Ben White at Unsplash.com
Asaph honestly spoke of his deep anguish. Then he continued his testimony writing, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” It’s not that God gives him strength. It’s not that God sends him strength. It’s that God is his strength. This is the God who is greater than his trouble.
Sometimes it’s the strength to prevail through the circumstances; sometimes God changes the circumstances. Scripture warns strongly against pride, against humans believing they have control. In spite of the warnings, pride dominates the landscape. So the Scripture clearly, bluntly says, “But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.” God intervenes. After demonstrating far more patience than humans deserve, he says, enough! So nations fall. Businesses collapse. Careers crumble. Humans don’t have control—only the illusion of control. The most basic implication of the words “But God” is that God is greater.
Love for sinners
The ultimate “But God…” truth comes in the message Peter preached at Pentecost. Telling the story of Jesus, he didn’t mince words with the crowd when he declared, “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him from the dead.” In the darkest moment since Creation, God intervened.
This isn’t just history or a theological idea. It’s personal. After reminding us of our helplessness due to the depth of our sin, the Bible affirms, “but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And so we don’t miss the depth of this love, Scripture reminds us that no human being would do this—only God.
It’s so easy to get caught up in image management, attempting to shape what others think of us. Jesus stripped away the pretense and exposed the silliness when He said to the Pharisees, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God.” Life is so much simpler, so much more free when we live with God as greater.
The God we know
How do we get this off of the page and into the depth of our souls? Most simply, with prayers that begin like Asaph did, with a frank acknowledgment of our existential mess. Prayers that then turn the corner to complete the story, often with the very words “But God…”, followed with affirmations of the truth about the greatness of the God we know.
Your time with God’s Word
Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 73:21-28; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 5:6-11 NASB
Dick Alexander is an innovative leader, sought after for his insights on preaching, leadership, and global mission.
He served 49 years in local church ministry—first in student ministry, then as a lead pastor, most recently for 29 years with LifeSpring Christian Church in Cincinnati. He currently works as a US Liaison for Missions of Hope International, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, working in areas of extreme material and spiritual poverty.
Dick has been married to his wife Betty for 56 years. They have two grown children and three fabulous grandchildren.
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