The Bible is chock full of terrific words.
Wonderful words like love, joy, and peace abound in the scriptures.
(Abound is a pretty good word too.)

There are long words in the Bible, like Mahershalalhashbaz (Isa. 8:1).
(What were his parents thinking?)

There are short words in the Bible, like Ur (Gen. 15:7).
“Where do you live?” “Ur.” (Confused look.)

There are impressive sounding words in the Bible,
like sanctification, justification and propitiation.

There are precious words like Savior, heaven, grace and redeemed.
I could go on and on.

I have a hands-down favorite word in the Good Book.
(My Bible study buddies know what I’m about to say.)
It’s easy to overlook this humble three letter word.
Here it is. Are you ready?
But.

Don’t be fooled by this well-worn word, this scant syllable, this inconsequential conjunction. It packs a wallop when it’s perfectly placed. “But” is the pivot point in so many sentences, and so many lives. I have circled every “but” in my Bible.

“That is what you were. But you were washed…” (1 Cor. 6:11)
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” (1 Cor. 15:20)
“We were objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God made us alive in Christ.” (Eph. 2:4)
“I am suffering like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained…” (2 Tim. 2:9)

Those are big buts, but I think the best buts in the Bible are found in the Psalms.

How long will you hide your face from me?
But I trust in your unfailing love. (Ps. 13)

My life is consumed by anguish…
But I trust in you. (Ps. 31)

The arrogant are attacking me, O God…
But you, O Lord, are compassionate and gracious. (Ps. 86)

If you kept a record of sins, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness. (Ps. 130)

My favorite word in the Bible that starts with B is BUT.