My Favorite Two Words in the Bible
If I asked you what your favorite verse or story in the Bible is, I’m confident you could give me an answer.
That’s because most people have favorite verses, stories, even favorite books in the Bible.
But I want to share with you my favorite two words in the Bible. Every time these two words in the Bible show up together, you can be sure something great is about to happen. There’s a change coming, a turnaround that’s about to take place.
And whenever I have doubts, when I have struggles, or a prayer, thanksgiving or sorrow, I turn to these two words in the Bible:
BUT GOD.
These two words show up many times throughout the Bible, and they are always a reminder that no matter our circumstances, God is in control.
He is the way maker, and He will cause everything to work out for His good.
The list is far too long to share here, but here are just a few instances of these two words in the Bible that illustrate why they mean so much to me:
Genesis 31:42:
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.
1 Samuel 23:14
David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
Psalm 49:14–15
They are like sheep and are destined to die;… But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
John 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Timothy 2:8–9
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Ephesians 2:1,3;4–5 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. . . and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
Did you notice a common theme?
Someone is headed for certain doom. They are helpless to stop whatever is coming their way. But God steps in and rewrites the story. He intervenes in a hopeless situation and brings safety, healing, redemption, and rescue.
In several of these verses, that someone is you and me. We were hopelessly and helplessly lost in sin, and God in His mercy came to our rescue.
All was lost, but God…
And it’s not because of anything you or I have done. So, you see, wrapped up in these two words in the Bible is God’s grace, His undeserved favor toward us.
Now, if God, who is holy and all-powerful stepped in to rescue us and give us love when we were still sinners separated from Him, how much more will He show up for us now that we are called His children?
I hope through these verses, you are reminded of God’s power, His grace and mercy, and His loving care. I know I am.
By Graham Allen
To learn more about Graham Allen, be sure to visit his website here.
