WHICH BUT? by Chas. C. Lewis

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 17, 1878

WHICH BUT?

By Chas. C. Lewis

Go INTO almost any social meeting, and you will hear expressions like the following: “I am still trying to serve God in my weak way; but—” “I have, in times past, enjoyed much of the love of God; but—” Or, “I know I ought to consecrate myself fully to the Lord, and sometimes I feel as though I could almost do so; but—”

Ah, that little word but! what a world of meaning it suggests! Used as above, it means doubt, darkness, discouragement, indecision, a whole catalogue of states of mind that hinder the Christian’s progress. But, my dear brother, there is not the slightest need for using the word thus; for “all the promises of God in him [Christ] are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Just turn “but” around and see how it shines! “To be sure, the enemy may try to destroy me; but Jesus has said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’” “I may be weak; but has not Jesus said, ‘My strength is sufficient for thee?’” “There are some things that look dark, and I know not just how they will come out; but the voice of the prophet comes to me with power, saying: ‘Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? . . . He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall [without the help of God]; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’” Isa. 40:28–31.

Used thus, the word gives joy, peace, light, hope, and comfort. Which way, dear reader, will you use it?

CHAS. C. LEWIS.