Have you ever had a “but God” moment! Joseph in the Old Testament certainly did (Gen 37-50)! We are all probably familiar with how he was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Acts 7:9 tells us, “But God was with him” and Joseph wound up as the right-hand man to Pharoh. When his brothers came to him for food in a time of famine he said to them, “As for you, you thought evil of me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20; AMPC). God so turned things around for Joseph that many lives were saved because of him. Then there is Noah, “But God remembered Noah” (Gen 8:1; NLT) and saved him and his family from the flood. Also, Jonah, “But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!” (Jonah 2:6; NLT), referring to God rescuing him from the great fish that swallowed him.

In the New Testament we have some more. “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Rom 5:8; NLT). Then in Acts 3:15, “You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead” (NLT; see also Acts 13:30). We have yet another “But God” in Eph 2:4,5 referring to God’s mercy and love in making us alive in Christ.

You may be going through a trial right now and greatly in need of a “But God”, keep in mind that Romans 8:28 says that God causes all things to “work together for good.” You may not get the “But God” right away but stay in faith and be expectant because, “But with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26; ESV).

We can ask anything as long as it is in line with God’s will and the promises in His word (1 John 5:14-15). Our prayers are to be spoken to God in Jesus name (John 14:13) and must be asked in faith (Mark 11:24). James, the brother of Jesus, made it clear that there is no room for doubt in our prayers (James 1:6). It is good to have a specific time each day to pray in a private place, or the “secret place” as the apostle Matthew calls it (Matt 5:6). However, we are also encouraged to pray everywhere (1 Tim 2:8) and at all times (Luke 18:1, 1Thess 5:17). The apostle Luke recorded that Jesus prayed all night! (Luke 6:12). Praying in agreement with others is also powerful (Matt 18:19-20). God knows our needs before we ask Him (Matt 6:8), but He wants us to ask, let’s do it and see His kingdom established here on earth!

I understand that there are about 8,810 promises in the Bible. Whatever your need is today, I am sure you would be able to find a promise to take care of that need. In addition, we have the promise of eternal life (John 3:16; 1 John2:25), the promise of the return of Jesus (Acts 1:11), the promise of protection (Ps 121:7-8) and the list goes on and on.

Let’s look at a few specific promises today. In Acts 1:4,5 Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:3 refers to the first commandment with a promise that if we honour our parents, “all will be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Eph 6:3; AMPC). In Hebrews 4:1 we have the promise of “entering His rest.” One of the most all-encompassing promises is found in Philippians 4:19, “And My God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (AMPC). This could refer to any kind of need we might have.

God is reliable and faithful (Heb 10:23) so we can put our trust in all His promises. If you have a need today, find one of God’s promises that relate to your need and stand and keep on standing on that promise until you see the fulfillment.