The Faith To Say “But God”

Recently, I was reminded of an old chorus that was sung in church when I was a little girl. A church mother would belt out “Where could I go but to the Lord?” and the congregants would passionately join in.

This tune kept ringing over and over in my spirit as I watched the news and heard the cries of our countrymen and humanity around the world. Truly, if ever there was a time for such a pressing question, surely it is now. We need a refuge.

Where could we go?

We are in desperation. As we look around, all of the things we found security in is in jeopardy. Currently, almost half of the Bahamian population is jobless, many have been made homeless and parents are struggling to feed their children.

A massive explosion in Lebanon has killed hundreds and injured thousands. Many were left homeless.

A friend of mine’s 9 month old recently died from health complications.

 Paul was right when he said that “we are pressed on every side.”

We acknowledge that we are in a serious predicament. Our leaders, though not lacking in desire, do not have the answer. Our neighbors are not able to assist. There is no prescription for heartbreak. Our human wisdom can only see so far.

We need solutions to the problems that plague us.

But to The Lord

The “but” in the song suggests that there is only one right answer, there is no reasonable alternative. Within those simple three letters “b” “u” “t” the essence of faith is expressed.

As Hebrews 11:1 states

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Picture this, you are walking through a tunnel. It’s dark and you have been walking for quite some time. You can stop walking and wait for death or you can keep walking knowing that one day the sun will reign down on you as you exit this dark tunnel.

This tunnel represents the many things that seek to break us; Covid-19, stress, national crises, relationship problems, death of a loved one. We have no reasonable choice “but” to trust that God will deliver.

I think of Jochabed, Mother of Moses. So desperate was this woman that she made a basket and placed her infant son in it to preserve his life. She had no other choice “but” to trust that God would protect him.

Believers, God is incapable of lying. We can trust his words in our lives. He stated through the prophet Isaiah:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

And again Isaiah 26:3 states “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

We are pressed on every side but through faith in God, we will overcome. God alone has the solutions to the problems with plague us. This week, when faced with the challenges of life, apply the “but God” to each one.