David, son of Jack: Two of my favorite 'but's

There are many common phrases that remind me of certain passages of Scripture.

When I hear 'hear I am', it reminds me of an Old Testament answer to a call from someOne - particularly YHWH - by Moses, Abraham, or Samuel.
When I hear 'same old, same old', 'same stuff, different day', or one of its many variations, I am reminded of the poetry of Ecclesiastes informing us that 'there is nothing new under the sun.'

Recently I was reading the 2nd chapter of St Mark's Gospel. Jesus was at home in Capernaum healing and preaching, and there was a great crowd at the house. There came to that house a paralytic, carried by four friends, who wanted to be healed. They saw that the crowd was too great to get near Jesus, so they took the man on his mat up on the roof, opened a hole in the roof, and let down the man close to Jesus.
When He saw their faith, He told the man on the mat, 'Child, your sins are forgiven.' Might not been what he wanted to hear, but it was necessary for the 'but' to come.

The scribes heard Jesus' words and began wringing their gnarly hands together plotting and questioning among themselves; 'Say, who does He think He is?!?'

Jesus knew their hearts and asked them why they were thinking such things, and then also asked them which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Rise, take your mat, and walk'?

Then He continued: 'But that you man know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - and turning to the paralytic He said, 'I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.'

The man did, and all were amazed. And all glorified God. I love that story, and I love the but in there.

My second favoriet but always brings a tear to my eye. The kingdom of Israel had been sacked, and its people and goods carted away to live in bondage in Babylon. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar the Naughty, had a huge golden statue made in his own likeness. He directed his governors and judges to have musical instruments played at certain time each day, prompting everyone to fall down and worship the statue. The penalty for not falling down and worshiping would be instant casting into the white-hot furnace.

There were three young Judeans, named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who would not fall down and worship this 90 foot tall idol.

A few Chaldean narcs made sure the king found out, which sent him into a rage. He summoned the young men and asked for verification of their lack of cooperation in this matter. Their reply is epic - to coin an abused phrase: 'There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if He will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.'

To me, that kind of faith and trust is absolutely beautiful. And if they would have died a martyr's death this story would still be one of great encouragement to believers of all time. But you know how this story ends...

Nebuchadnezzar becomes furious, orders the white-hot furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal. He commands strong men to bind Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and throw them into the furnace. Scripture tells us the fire was so hot the strong me were devoured by the flames as they did this.
The young men in the furnace then arose. walked around in the flames singing to God and blessing the Lord. The flames rose forty nine cubits above the furnace and burned many nearby Chaldeans! But an angel of the Lord was there with the three, and made the inside of the furnace like a spring morning with a wonderful breeze. They sang more praise to God, and the king looking in saw four men instead of three. He called them out of the furnace, had a conversion of sorts, and then promoted Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

God is good and His mercy endures forever!. Here I have copied a part of the blessing sung by the three while in the furnace, from the third chapter of Daniel.

52“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestors,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;

And blessed is your holy and glorious name,

praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

53Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,

praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

54Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

55Blessed are you who look into the depths

from your throne upon the cherubim,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

56Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,

praiseworthy and glorious forever.

57Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,