But God

“Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died […] But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark.”

(Genesis 7:22, 8:1)

As you walk through God’s great redemptive story, you see that it is a story of fresh starts and new beginnings. What seems like the end of the story might actually be a new beginning that lasts forever.

The sin of Adam and Eve seems like the end of a very short story, but God promises that a fresh start is coming. The global flood seems like the end of the earth, but God makes a covenant with Noah, and God’s plan marches on. The enslavement of the children of Israel in Egypt seems like the end of the people of God, but God exercises his power to give them freedom and a land of promise.

David’s sins of adultery and murder seem like the end of David’s line, from which the Messiah was to come, but God forgives and restores his king. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, along with the captivity of Judah, seem like the end of God’s people once again, but God leads a remnant back, restores his people, and rebuilds the temple.

The crucifixion of Jesus seems like the end of all hope, but then comes the resurrection, Christ’s ascension, and the growth of his church. This fallen world will someday be burned up, but it will not be the end, because the new heavens and earth will rise, and peace and righteousness will reign forever.

This is what powerful redeeming grace does. It cannot and will not be defeated. God’s grace will have its way. God’s grace will win. Your struggles today are not the end. Your Lord has a plan for you. His grace guarantees a future for you.

Rest in his grace, trust, and obey. His plan marches on. You are wise to build your life, hope, and dreams on the sure foundation of God’s amazing grace.

—

No hope after Adam,
but God.
No grand redemptive plan,
but God,
No surviving a global flood,
but God.
No descendants for Abram,
but God.
No future for Joseph,
but God.
No Passover freedom from Egypt,
but God.
No journey through the Red Sea,
but God.
No manna in the wilderness,
but God.
No tabernacle of worship and forgiveness,
but God.
No crumbling walls of Jericho,
but God.
No defeat of the Midianites,
but God.
No victory over Goliath,
but God.
No new beginning for Jonah,
but God.
No walking out of the fiery furnace,
but God.
No safety in the lion’s den,
but God.
No prophets, priests and kings,
but God.
No hope for the line of Judah,
but God.
No Messiah born to Mary,
but God.
No Word becomes flesh,
but God.
No Living Water,
but God.
No Bread of Life,
but God.
No Passover Lamb,
but God.
No cross of forgiveness,
but God.
No victorious resurrection,
but God.
No royal ascension,
but God.
No gift of the Holy Spirit,
but God.
No forgiveness for Peter,
but God.
No rescue on the road to Damascus,
but God.
No written revelation,
but God.
No great and precious promises,
but God.
No new life in Christ,
but God.
No community of faith,
but God.
No reconciling mercy,
but God,
No rescuing conviction,
but God.
No heart transformation,
but God.
No fresh mercies for each day,
but God.
No endless love,
but God.
No hope in the valley,
but God.
No humility on the mountain,
but God.
No strength in weakness,
but God.
No enduring faith,
but God.
No willing obedience,
but God.
No fight against temptation,
but God,
No final defeat of sin and Satan,
but God.
No second resurrection,
but God.
No destiny secure,
but God.
No forever kingdom,
but God.
No glorious wedding feast,
but God.
No victory songs of the redeemed,
but God.
No new heavens and earth,
but God.
No peace and righteousness forever,
but God.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 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— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:1-10

—

A Prayer for Today: God, help me to build my life, hope, and dreams on the solid and sure foundation of your amazing grace. When I experience loss and heartache, remind me from your Word that suffering is only temporary because your peace and your righteousness will reign forever. I need that constant reminder because as a sinful person, I am prone to forget. May I continually and purposefully rest in your grace, trust your heart, and obey your commands. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

God bless,

Paul Tripp

Discussion Prompt for Children

• Can you think of a story when it seemed like evil was going to win, but that wasn’t actually the end of the story? Can you think of any stories from the Bible like that?

• How can we know for sure that one day God will make everything right and perfect?

Reflection Questions

1. Even though life can be dark and difficult, why is there always hope for a Christian? How do you need to be reminded of that hope right now?

2. How have you seen God transform a seemingly hopeless situation or circumstance into something surprising and wonderful, even though you thought the outcome was surely going to be bleak? In other words, how have you personally experienced a glorious “but God” moment in your life?

3. Why is the resurrection and ascension of Jesus our assurance of future glory? In what situations are you prone to forget that future glory?

4. Who in your life is bold enough to remind you of the future glory when your perspective is skewed by the sin in this world and the sin in your own heart? If you can’t think of anyone, pray that God would bring a friend or friends like that into your life to help you keep your eyes and heart focused on the truth of the future.

5. Who in your life are you personally reminding of the future glory promised in Scripture? If there isn’t anyone you’re reminding, pray about who that person could be and ask them if they’d be willing to regularly meet, talk, and pray alongside you on a regular basis.