How One Little Word Changes Everything
Joshua 7:1, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
The Smallest Word with the Biggest Consequences
Notice that first word? But.
One of the smallest words in the English language. Three letters. One syllable. And yet it carries more weight and meaning than most of the dictionary.
There was a good marriage, but adultery crept in.
Once they had a happy home, but drugs came along.
I was a happy, productive Christian, but I let the Devil rob me of my joy.
But, but, but.
That little word is the dividing line between success and failure. The hinge on which everything turns. The moment when victory becomes defeat.
The Fine Line
Think about how thin that line really is.
In baseball, one error can mean the difference between winning and losing. The ball slips through the glove. The game is over.
In football, a fumble, an interception, one big play—it can make all the difference. Sixty minutes of hard work undone in sixty seconds.
In marriage? A five-minute fling can destroy years of trust and end in failure.
Success and failure aren’t distant cousins. They’re neighbors. Sometimes they live in the same house.
Avoiding Your Own “But”
Achan thought he could take a little for himself. Just a beautiful Babylonian garment. Some silver. A wedge of gold. Who would know?
God knew.
One man’s sin affected an entire nation. His disobedience created a “but” moment for all of Israel.
Your “but” moments are waiting too. They come disguised as small compromises. Little indulgences. Secret sins. Things you think don’t matter.
They matter.
The believer must submit to the Savior. Not just on Sundays. Not just in the big moments. In everyday choices, and in the moments when no one else is watching.
Because God is watching. And more than that, He’s offering to help you succeed His way.
Rewriting the Story
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to end your story with “but.”
You can write a different narrative:
I was headed for destruction, but God intervened.
I was lost in sin, but Christ found me.
I was chasing the world’s success, but I discovered God’s purpose.
Same word. Different direction.
The question isn’t whether you’ll face “but” moments. You will. The question is: which way will they turn?
Submit to Jesus. Stay in His plan. Resist the enemy’s lies. And watch how God turns your potential failures into His kind of success.
The kind that lasts. The kind that matters. The kind that echoes into eternity.
Keep Looking Up!
Heaven is closer than you think.
May God bless your day.
Related devotionals: Rahab in the Bible · How to tame the tongue · What demons do to Christians
Want more from Pastor Rodney?
If today’s devotional spoke to your heart, my books carry these same themes deeper. Stories of God moving in ordinary lives, scripture for tired pastors and weary parents, and steady reminders that heaven is closer than you think.