The “Yets” of God Part 2
(For part 1, please click HERE)
If 2018 was especially difficult for you,
& if from an earthly perspective 2019 doesn’t look much better,
let’s dig into the Bible for the word “yet.”
(I know I’m a word nerd! 🙂 ).
“Yet”: “Sentence connector–nevertheless, still, in spite of that.”
- “Yet” connects the negative with the positive,
the painful with the comforting; - “Yet” connects the dark clouds & the silver lining;
- “Yet” changes your perspective, shifts what you stare at,
pulls your mind out of a ditch like a tow truck.
For example:
-“My right hand is broken, yet
I am beginning to write with my left hand!”
-“Life is bringing me to my knees, yet
from here I can more clearly see God’s footprints with me!”
-“You meant it for evil, but [yet]
God meant it for good, for the saving of many lives” (Joseph in Genesis 45).
The word “yet” appears in the Bible approximately 395 times;
let’s look at a few…
2 Timothy 1:11-12: “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald
and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am.
Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed,
and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him
until that day.”
Paul suffered because he proclaimed & lived out the good news
that many saw as bad news. But he wasn’t ashamed of suffering
because he trusted that his Savior would bring him thru it.
Paul trusted God’s in-controlness.
While his suffering could take him down at times,
it couldn’t take away what matters most:
the LORD’s salvation & promises.
While Paul’s suffering could harm his earthly mind/body,
it couldn’t harm his immortal soul, guarded fiercely by the Lord Jesus.
What a powerful yet!
2 Timothy 3:10-11: “You, however, know all about my teaching,
my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me
in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.
Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.”
Paul knew that Christ carried him thru his suffering,
not around to avoid all suffering.
Philippians 4:11-14: “I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.”
Though Paul acknowledged that the LORD would give him strength
in all situations, Paul still needed the support
of the Philippians Christians.
Oh how we still need each other to share in our troubles!
- Oh how we need to intentionally pursue
deep community & fellowship here, - knowing each other& being known,
- sacrificially washing each other’s feet and
- allowing each other to wash our feet.
Such an important “yet” as we move forward into 2019…
2 Corinthians 4:16-17: “Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly
we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
We don’t want our outward bodies/situations/finances to waste away,
but let’s focus instead on the ways that the LORD
is renewing our souls, strengthening our faith,
growing the fruit of His Holy Spirit in our character,
preparing us for eternity.
“Yet” changes our focus from earthly trials to eternal triumph…
2 Corinthians 6:9-10: “…known [by God!],
yet regarded as unknown [overlooked by the world];
dying, and yet we live on [this life is not the end!];
beaten, and yet not killed [knocked down but not knocked out!];
10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing [dark chocolate—bittersweet, yet choosing to praise the LORD thru our tears & questions];
poor, yet making many rich [spreading the Gospel!];
having nothing, and yet possessing everything [that truly matters!].”
2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,
so that you thru his poverty might become rich.”
[Rich in forgiveness, adoption, new life, fruit of the Spirit!]
Romans 4:19-21: “Without weakening in his faith,
[Abraham] faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—
since he was about a hundred years old—
and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God,
but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power
to do what he had promised.”
Abe gave glory to God, spread God’s fame,
by trusting what the LORD said even though what he saw (the facts)
was discouraging.
This is the goal every Sunday morning, every Bible study,
every post on the Elevate FB page:
strengthen your faith in the Lord Jesus so you are fully persuaded
that He has power to do what He has promised,
no matter what your situation is. What a powerful yet!
Closing Challenge
Perhaps the best “Yet” of all!!!
John 1:11-13:
“He [Jesus] came to that which was his own,
but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent,
nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God.”
If you’re a Christian, are you rejoicing in this “yet” in John 1?
Oh celebrate the thrill that you are a prince/princess of heaven,
a son or daughter of God Himself!
If you are not a Christian, will you respond to this “yet” in John 1?
- Will you wave the white flag of surrender,
- lay down the flag of your supposed independence,
- and declare your sin to the only One qualified, ready & willing
to forgive & adopt you?
Last week/year might have been rough for you…
YET I hope you have a great week/year with King Jesus! 🙂