Dr. Ethel Sefakor Boadum preaches the two most hope-filled words in Scripture: "but God." In grammar, "but" contrasts; in the gospel, it announces divine intervention. Through Mephibosheth at the king's table, Naaman in the Jordan, and Gideon's 300, the word lands three ways: your limitation is not your identity, your condition is not your end, and your insecurity does not define you — woven through with "I Need No Other Argument" and her own "but God" testimonies.
The seven movements
- The grammar of grace. "But" joins contrasting ideas — and when God is the subject, the contrast is intervention: dead in trespasses, but God, rich in mercy, made us alive and seated us with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-6).
- Mephibosheth — lame, and in Lo Debar. Royalty dropped by his nurse, lame in both feet, living in the place whose name means barrenness. David asked only "is there anyone?" — Ziba's "but he is lame" was never necessary (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:1-5).
- At the king's table, the limitation is covered. Mephibosheth ate continually at David's table, still lame — but at a table no one sees your feet. His status changed before his condition did: your limitation is not your identity (2 Samuel 9:7, 13).
- Naaman — mighty, honorable… but a leper. The rich also cry. An unnamed servant girl pointed to the prophet; pride almost refused the Jordan; seven full dips restored his flesh like a child's. Your condition is not your end — and God can use the "least" voice in the room to turn it (2 Kings 5:1-14).
- Gideon — the least of the weakest clan. Threshing wheat in a winepress, the angel calls him "mighty man of valor." Sign after sign — the consumed offering, the wet fleece, the dry fleece, even the enemies' own dream — God patiently answered, then cut 32,000 to 300 so no flesh could glory (Judges 6:11-40; 7:2-15).
- "You meant evil… but God meant it for good." Joseph's verdict names the pattern: where you see a limitation, see God's intervention. Her own testimonies — the childhood poverty, the "unreachable" Sunday school teacher who became her husband, the auntie who took in a six-year-old orphan — all carry the same two words (Genesis 50:20).
- The complaining is too much. Pastor's closing charge: remember where God picked you from and give thanks. Complaining delays, blinds, and binds; gratitude sees the table, the new skin, and the 300. God's word to the house: "Be reminded — I am with you" (Psalm 103:2).
Walk away with this
Name your "but" — the sin, sickness, lack, or insecurity — and answer it with the bigger one: but God. You're at the King's table, the Jordan still heals, and He wins with the least. Then trade the complaining for thanksgiving, and go in this might.