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 (Isaiah 8:1). (What were his parents thinking?)

There are short words in the Bible, like Ur (Genesis 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. 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.

“But you were washed…” 1 Corinthians 6:11

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

“But because of His great love for us…” Ephesians 2:4

“But God’s word is not chained…” 2 Timothy 2:9

My second favorite word in the Bible is equally short and powerful.

Now.

Team these two up and you’ve got a potent combination.

“Once you were alienated from God, BUT NOW he has reconciled you…” Colossians 1:21-22

“Once you were not a people, BUT NOW you are the people of God.”           1 Peter 2:10

“I was blind, BUT NOW I see.” John 9:25

“For this son of mine was dead, BUT NOW he is alive;

he was lost, BUT NOW he has been found.” Luke 15:24

I am thankful for these two little words.

They can redeem a past full of faults and failures.

They can redefine a future full of hopes and dreams.

But now.