NOTHING IS
IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible
with God."
Why
do you think the angel’s message to Mary concerning the birth of Elizabeth’s
child in her old age was important? Mary needed to be encouraged. She had just
been told that she was going to give birth to a son and she was to name him
Jesus. Mary’s response was, “how will this be…since I am a virgin?” What the
angel revealed to her seemed to be impossible. God knew this would be Mary’s
response so he sent an angel, a messenger, to strengthen her faith. Mary would
have known Elizabeth, a relative of hers, wanted children but she also knew she
was beyond normal childbearing age. If Elizabeth was pregnant it would be the
result of a miracle performed by God. If God could work such a miracle in
Elizabeth’s life, He could work a miracle in her life. The angel’s message
strengthened her faith and gave her confidence that she could trust God to do
the impossible. Mary’s response to the
angel is the response of faith; “I am the Lord's servant…May it be to me as you
have said."
The angel’s
message to Mary is also recorded for our encouragement and the strengthening of
our faith. All of us need to be reminded of the sovereignty and power of God.
Listen to the angel’s message, “nothing is impossible with God." Do we believe it? Does our life reflect it?
Is this our faith position? When we face trying times; when there appears to be
little or no hope and the counsel of others has little to offer, do we hear the
Lord speaking to our hearts saying, “Nothing is impossible with God.”
The
day we believe this truth is the day we begin to grow in our faith and understand
the power of Jesus over all things. With Jesus there will always be hope; even
in light of the reality of our weaknesses, whether they are physical, emotional
or spiritual. We can draw strength and assurance and comfort in His presence for
nothing is impossible with Him. We can rest in His peace and draw from the
blessings He makes available to us through His indwelling presence. Is it easy
to do? No! Is it doable? Yes!
When
this truth is ingrained into our hearts and minds, when it really becomes ours,
it will revolutionize our thinking. It will enable us to focus our attention on
the sufficiency of Christ rather than the insufficiency of self. We can face our
inabilities without shame because we know when we are weak, Jesus will be our
strength. When we are shortsighted, Jesus will expand our vision through His
living Word. When we need direction Jesus provides us with spiritual ears to
hear Him speak to our hearts His blessed truths. Friends, our God is able. His
power and sufficiency to save is available to all of us. All we need do is ask.
When we need to be encouraged it would be wise to remember the comforting words
spoken by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: “Now to
him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according
to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
On a personal note:
when I become anxious, the Holy Spirit reminds me, I am to be anxious about nothing.
Rather than spending time being anxious I can spend time in prayer, asking God
for the peace of His presence. And dear friends, when I am obedient and allow the
peace of God to wash over my spirit, I can offer a prayer of thanksgiving from
my heart; a prayer to Him who is able to do more than I can imagine for God is
at work within me. (Phil 4:6-7; Eph 3:20-21) What a Wonderful Savior is Jesus
my Lord!
While sitting here writing
this devotional the Lord brought the following hymn to mind. I share it with you
in the hope it will bless you as it blessed me. I looked up the lyrics on the
internet and discovered that I could not only read the lyrics but I could also
listen to it being played on a piano. As I read and listened I had a wonderful
time of worship. The words are so meaningful. They are truly like a balm to my
soul. The web address is as follows if you choose to go there: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/334. You
may need to cut and paste it in the address bar.
1.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.
o He hideth my
soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.
2.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.
o Chorus
3.
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And, filled with His fulness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,
For such a Redeemer as mine!
And, filled with His fulness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,
For such a Redeemer as mine!
o Chorus
4.
When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.
o Chorus
God bless you all.
Who knows the next time we see each other we may be dressed in His brightness,
meeting Him in the air. We will shout together to His praise and who knows it
may be one of Eleanor’s favorite words we will shout in honor of our King: Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
david
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