The Sermon Title I was Never Brave Enough to Use

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.

I think this is my favorite phrase in Scripture. If I was brave enough, I would have titled a sermon “God’s Big But” at some point in my career (shoot – I still might do that someday). Because that one little but changes everything. Every time I see that phrase, “but God…” I circle it, highlight it, do whatever I can to call my attention to it because things are about to get turned upside down.

“The waters flooded the earth for 150 days. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals.” Genesis 7:24-8:1 (NIV)

“…but God intended it for good.” (see above)

“After Jesus had been put to death, he was taken down from the crosst and placed in a tomb. But God raised him from death!” Acts 13:29-30

“… we were helpless and sinful… But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” Romans 5: 6 & 8

Life is full of surprises. Things can be uncertain and unpredictable. The whole world can be falling apart around me.

but

God

He will not leave me. He will not forsake me. He will not forget me. He will continue to show me His love even (maybe especially) in the midst of life’s most painful moments.

It’s such a tiny word. But God has an awful big but.