Category: Devotion of the Day

BUT GOD WAS WITH HIM

But God was with him.
Acts 7:9

This is one of the many “But Gods” in the Book that spell quite a difference. Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egypt, but God was with him. Joseph himself put it this way: “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Gen. 50:20). What men thought was overruled by what God wrought. “Man proposes but God disposes.”

“He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5, 6). No plottings of men, no combinations of circumstances can defeat the man who has God as his helper. Here is the secret of many a life, conspired against by ill health, poverty, evil men, foes in the household, the world, the flesh and the devil, but victorious, anyway – God was with him. The devil and men often overstep themselves, sell Joseph into Egypt, but God makes him Prime Minister! “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

And even in the last dark chapter we need not tremble at our Adversary, but triumph with our Ally – “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”

But God was with him. What a difference that makes!

HERE OR HEREAFTER?

A crown…unto all them also that love his appearing. …Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.
II Timothy 4:8, 10

If you love his appearing you are not in live with this present world. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Paul had set his sights higher than this passing scene. Demas would have his portion here and now. Paul was a pilgrim and a stranger, not only in love with Jesus but with His appearing. I wonder how many really love Jesus’ return. One does not sense it much in churches building the Kingdom but not really joying in the coming of the King. And fundamentalists who revel in detailed programs of that event do not always seem to “love” it. Their interest is academic but not affectionate.

Demas sometimes lines up with Paul temporarily, but soon forsakes him. You cannot love and live for two worlds at a time. The love of the world and the love of the Father simply do not coexist in the same heart.

Are you in love with this age or with the one to come? It makes a difference!