Have you ever noticed how key scriptures frequently begin with the conjunction, “But”?- Tony Hilling

Have you ever noticed how key scriptures frequently begin with the conjunction, “But”? A good example is Ephesians 2:1-6 where Paul writes:

“And you being dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to walk, according to the manner of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air…among whom we also lived in the desires of our flesh …and were by nature children of wrath, as were the rest. But God being rich in mercy, on account of the great love with which He has loved us, even as we were dead in our transgressions made us alive together with Christ…”

Another scripture is Jeremiah 31:31-33, where the prophet hears God say:
“Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers…which they broke… But this is the covenant which I will make with the House of Israel…I will put my law within them and write it in their hearts…”

An additional example is 1 Samuel 30:6. David had just returned from the ill-fated sojourn with the Philistines and found his camp at Ziklag in ruins and ashes because of an attack by the Amalekites. His wives are gone as well as the wives and children of his men and the Bible tells us that David and his men wept until they had no strength left to weep. David was also very distressed because his men were talking of stoning him; he had clearly erred in leaving their camp unprotected. The next verse reads, “…But David strengthened himself in the Lord His God.” What a telling phrase! David was probably at the lowest point of his life. He was hunted by Saul, hated by the Philistines, rejected by Achish, the king of Gath, and the Amalekites have just devastated his camp. Now his men want to stone him. David, however, turns to God, draws strength from Him and in a pivotal moment of his life, he sets out after the Amalekites, defeats them and recovers everything that was taken. This event will ultimately springboard him into the kingship of Israel that was prophesied to him over a decade before.

And please note that David was not a perfect man, as his later life shows dramatically. He had already ran to the Philistines earlier as told in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 and barely escaped with his life. Yet he goes back a second time as related in 1 Samuel 27:1, because of fear of Saul; a clear example of using his own wits instead of trusting in God. He made many mistakes and committed serious sins, yet God continued to bless him.

There is a similar theme evident in “The Voice of Aedistamen”. The hero of the story, Owa’en, is continually confronted with the choice of making decisions based on his own perception alone, rather than seeking the wisdom and strength of the Ghaedesh-Mor, the God of the enslaved Ma’apone people. It will prove to be an ultimate test for him too as the events are funnelled into an apocalyptic final battle.

Has there been lately a Ziklag experience in your life? Have you found that you have come to the end of your own strength as you face a giant that looks invincible? David had the answer: strengthen yourself in the Lord your God. Circumstances may seem to be out of control or completely unmanageable. Life may have dealt you an experience that has shattered all your strength and hopes. But God…! Find strength in Him alone.

If you wish to start Tony's series,why not start at the beginning,"The Voice of Aedistamen - Volume 1 - The Child's Arrival".
Here is the Amazon Kindle link:http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Aedistamen-Childs-Arrival-ebook/dp/B00ULKP9BO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455198494&sr=8-1&keywords=tony+hilling