Lent Day 16 - YOU CAN’T ALWAYS SEE GOD’S ‘BUT’

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. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

As I sat down to write today, a song called ‘It is Well’ came on. The lyrics encourage us to believe and have faith even when our eyes see no evidence of God being at work. It felt really timely because of the line of thought I had for today’s devotion. So let’s have a good look at the theme of God’s unseen ‘but’. Just because it’s unseen certainly does not mean it is not there, or it is not hard at work behind the scenes

The verse from 2 Corinthians 4:18 is such an important one for us to remember. If you are anything like me, the temptation to be swamped, discouraged and defeated by the ‘seen’ is strong. Throughout this challenge I’m facing I have been encouraged as I consider the supernatural and eternal, and to choose to focus on those incredible, yet often unseen truths, rather than the temporary ‘seen’ facts in front of me.

I often forget that there is a whole unseen spiritual world out there, including both good and evil. Ephesians 6:12 says: ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ This seems very intense, but as unseen as it may appear to us, this spiritual realm is very real. As Christians we know that God ultimately holds all power and authority and so we do not need to fear this. We do however need to recognise and understand the very real battle we face. Ephesians 6 goes on to describe how putting on the armour of God enables us to stand against these dark spiritual powers effectively. We’ve got all the right gear so there’s no need to fear! (You are welcome – feel free to get that printed on a T-shirt!)

I think I have lived a large amount of my life being fairly ignorant about these things. There is certainly a balance to be found – I’ve heard it said that some Christians ‘see a demon under every cornflake’! We don’t need to be preoccupied with dark forces, and go looking for trouble, so to speak. But we need to be aware that we have an enemy who is very real and who wants to steal, kill and destroy. Fortunately, we are on the winning team with Jesus who counters that with bringing us life in all its fullness. John 10:10 says, ‘The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’

How we talk about these unseen powers is important too. At our wedding someone leading at the front said, ‘The enemy would love to destroy this marriage.’ We believe this is true and we understand that he was referring to the devil wanting to oppose our marriage and cause it to fail. However, a member of the congregation who was not well acquainted with church jargon quietly said, ‘Does he mean the Russians?’!

I remember reading a book before we adopted our little girl and the writer stated that he felt adoption was ‘spiritual warfare’. He said that the devil hates adoption and he explained the high price Jesus had to pay for our adoption. I felt like he needed to chill out a bit, to be honest, when I read it at the time. Now, however, being on the other side of an adoption and the intense emotional distress we experienced, I’m a lot more inclined to agree with him. The devil hates the fact that children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned find safe and loving homes where they can find healing, acceptance and belonging. No wonder there’s a backlash of opposition often seen when we attempt to do things to love and bless others.

I believe there are dark forces at work aiming to do their best to prevent some of our dreams being fulfilled because there is a lot of good riding on them. When we have a dream from God and we know our motives are right and it will bless others, we can expect significant opposition. But we must remember that although these spiritual forces can cause problems, spanners in the works and discouragement, God has the final say.

I love this verse from Job 42:2: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.’ (If you are a fan of the British show, Miranda, I’m sure you’ll agree that ‘thwarted’ is definitely a word that she would say, then look at the camera, repeat and giggle!) Isaiah 43:13 records God saying: ‘When I act, who can reverse it?’ These are the truths we need to be clinging onto during times of intense opposition.

The difficulties we face do not take God by surprise. He’s not reclining on a cloud one minute and throwing his heavenly harp to one side in a panic the next because there’s been a plot twist. He knows the end from the beginning. Not only is he all-knowing, but he is constantly working things out for our good. This can often be the unseen part from our perspective. God is at work on our behalf. A friend recently encouraged us with a Scripture from Exodus 14:14 (amp): ‘The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.’ God fights our battles. God manoeuvres situations and circumstances on our behalf. God can ‘but in’ and change hearts and minds. Often, this work he is doing is completely unseen by us.

The song ‘Way Maker’ has really connected with the hearts of many people in the last few years. It declares that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it or feel it. This is such truth – we often cannot see or feel what God is up to. It may even appear that he’s doing nothing at all. But he cares, he fights, he manoeuvres, he plans things for our good and for his glory – despite a lot of this being unseen by ourselves.

I have said to God many times over this last month, ‘God, I can’t see how you are going to remove this mountain, but that’s not my job. My job is to cling to the promises you’ve spoken to us and to trust you and confess your truth over it.’ I have recently prayed quite differently from how I have prayed before. I heard a preacher say that when you pray you should bring God’s promises to him. So I haven’t been saying, ‘God, please can you do A, B and C? Thank you and kind regards’! I’ve brought the words and promises he’s spoken to us back to him and in doing so my faith and confidence are high. I haven’t begged God to do the thing I would do to fix this situation if I was him. I’ve stepped back and said, ‘OK, God, you have spoken and said you will bless this, so you do it your way and I’ll stand back and let you crack on.’ (I hope God is OK with me giving him my permission to crack on!)

Be assured today that God’s ‘but’ is at work even when it’s unseen.

Taken from When God ‘Buts’ In by Kate Williams

Are you facing a situation that looks impossible?

Many biblical characters faced huge obstacles too, until God brought a ‘but’ into the situation that changed their circumstances in a powerful way.

When God ‘buts’ in he isn’t meddling or interfering, he is divinely intervening in the situation.

Whether that results in a miraculous turnaround in circumstances or grace to sustain you through a trial, God wants to ‘but’ in and be actively involved in your life.

Kate Williams interweaves her personal experience of challenge with biblical truth to help stir your faith and trust God that he knows the intervention you most need.

Reflection

Can you currently see what God is up to in your situation? Can you reflect on any past situations where God was at work but you couldn’t see it at the time? Can you get the word ‘thwarted’ into a conversation today? And keep a straight face?! If you have time, I’d really encourage you to listen to Priscilla Shirer, ‘When it Feels Like God is Doing Nothing’ – type it into YouTube and her sermon on this topic will come up. It’s good stuff.