LUKE 18:27: “Jesus replied, “Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” (NIRV)
OBSERVATION: All things are possible with God! As I read this verse this morning I had to pause and remind myself – this really is true! Just prior to reading this verse, I had received an urgent prayer request. It was for a man who was headed for a serious open heart surgery, and who had many other extenuating circumstances surrounding this surgery. I sent out this request to our prayer team, I paused to pray for him, and then I read this verse.
Sometimes in life we just need to be reminded – “Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
It never ceases to amaze me how my devotional readings many times compliment each other, even though they have not been planned to do so. My Old Testament reading this morning was about the 12 spies who went to examine the promised land that the Lord was going to give Israel. Only 2 of the 12 had eyes of faith to believe God. The others doubted and spread an “evil report” among the people. In every situation we face we have a choice to make. We can place our trust in the Lord, and believe that all things are possible to those who believe – or we can doubt and expect the worst to happen.
Simply choosing to believe does not mean that every situation will be answered with a miracle. However, it just might be! We can never presume upon the sovereignty of God, but we must always press into the faithfulness of God. When Jesus came down from the mountain where He was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John, he found the other disciples in the midst of a dilemma. They had been asked to pray for a demon possessed boy, and to cast out the demon. They were unable to do so. The father of the boy was desperate. Jesus said to the father,
- “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
The disciples heard Jesus. The father heard Jesus. The father’s response to Jesus was both humble and honest. He cried out,
- “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24 NIRV
Jesus did not rebuke the father. Jesus delivered and healed his son! What would happen right now if you and I dared to believe? What would happen if you and I were as open and honest with the Lord Jesus as this desperate father was? What would happen if we truly embraced in this moment the awesome truth –
- “…Everything is possible for the one who believes.”!
Lord, I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief! When I am faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, when I am asked to pray for a desperate situation in someone’s life, when I feel doubt rising in opposition to my faith – help me to hear Your promise –
- “THINGS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITH PEOPLE ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!”
In Jesus Name!
