THE 'BUT' IS COMING
Today's reading: Genesis 32-25

"Then Jacob prayed, O God of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac--O Lord, you told me to return to my land and to my relatives, and you promised to treat me kindly. I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps! O Lord, please rescue me from my brother, Esau. I am afraid he is coming to kill me, along with my wives and children." Genesis 32:9-11 NLT

What he's really saying, and I know this because this is sadly what I am used to saying myself, is...

Lord, I know I am married to the gal of my dreams and have a house full of healthy children...but?

Lord, I saw a band of angels surrounding us as we travel...but?

Lord, I am having trouble corralling all the goats and sheep you've blessed me with...but?

You've given and given and given, Lord. You've blessed me abundantly. You've provided more than I could have ever asked for...but?

Lord, well, Lord, I really messed up with my family all those years back. I, uh, I really hurt my Dad and my brother. I've royally screwed up about everything I could with the family blessing that was supposed to have been passed on. Lord, I've made enemies with my family.

And we do the same.

We can give an account of God's miraculous workings, but there's always a 'but', isn't there? The circumstances overwhelm. The possibilities seem out of reach. The answer seems unattainable. The outlook looks so bleak. So we throw in a 'but' along here and there.

How come one of the smallest words in the English language can do so much damage to the faith we're building in the Lord Jesus Christ?