“BUT GOD!”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
Philippians 2:25-27 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Yesterday we read that Paul was sending Timothy to the believers in Philippi. Today we discover that a man by the name of Epaphroditus is going to travel with Timothy.
Evidently Epaphroditus was from Philippi and he was the one sent from the church to bring a financial gift to support Paul while he was in prison. Epaphroditus then stayed to care for Paul.
During his stay with Paul, Epaphroditus evidently got very sick and almost died. This comes the powerful two-word statement, “but God.”
We should pause when we read those words. How many times in our lives has sickness, financial problems, relational problems, or even personal failure hit our lives and things looked bleak? I have had many times in my life when things were not going the right direction “but God” showed up and turned things around.
I have had times when I made mistakes that could have hurt me and others, “but God” showed up with mercy and turned things around.
We all have those “but God” moments. We need to take a moment to thank God for those moments.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God today I pause to thank You for Your mercy and grace in my life. Thanks for Your healing, Your provision, Your protection, and Your patience with me. Thanks for showing up at just the right time.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”