21. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Numbers 11:23  And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

Genesis 18:14    Is anything too hard for the LORD?

Psalms 78:41    They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 50:2    Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.

Isaiah 59:1    Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

Micah 2:7     Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

Matthew 19:26    But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 1:37     For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Ezekiel 24:14    I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord GOD.”

When God speaks do we trust what He says?  Do we believe what He says?  Do we cling to what He says?  Do we listen to what He says? Do we rely on what He says? Are we changed because of what He says? Are we wanting to hear Him speak through His word? Are we living according to His word?  Are our thoughts and actions in accordance with His word?

Many of the answers to these questions can be rooted in how we view God.  We believe we are not good enough for Him to save us or work in our life.  We put limits on God’s power, His love, His calling, His purpose, His judgment.  These limits are rooted in our lack of understanding and knowledge of God and much by the influence of our culture. Our belief in who God is and what He can do, how He can do it, and if He is alive and present, get sidetracked and confused because of our belief, trust, faith, hope, and love needing to be grounded in His word are grounded instead by the words of man.

Man can do many things but there are always limits.  Some things are possible but others are impossible. With God all things are possible.  God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. God is awesome in power and might.  God is steadfast in His love for those called by Him.  God is righteous and holy.  God’s judgment is never wrong.  God’s grace and mercy in and through Jesus Christ have given us new life.  In this new life our sins, though they be red as scarlet, shall be white as snow.  In Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven.

Because in God all things are possible we find in His word strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  In trusting and relying on Him our days are never burdensome but rather filled with a never-ending reliance, fulfilling satisfaction of knowing we are in His loving hands. His word gives life, strength, hope, and purpose to those who seek and desire to know, understand and serve Him.

Why do you doubt?

Genesis 18:14  Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Numbers 11:23     And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

Deuteronomy 7:21     You shall not be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God, nothing can hinder the LORD

1 Samuel 14:6   Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

Job 42:2     “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Psalms 93:1    The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Jeremiah 32:17     ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Micah 7:18     Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Matthew 3:9     And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

Matthew 14:31    Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 19:26     But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Philippians 4:13     I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 3:20     Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Luke 1:37     For nothing will be impossible with God.”

When you read words like;  “Nothing is impossible with God,” “He is able to do far more than all that we ask and think,” “God is able,”  “God, nothing is too hard for You”, ” why do you doubt,” do you feel a bit like your faith is not living up to what God can do?  In some ways this is to be expected for we do not understand the “limitless power of God”.  When we come to a situation in our life where all of our being clings to, relies on, and trusts in God, we still are limited by our finite understanding and knowledge of God.  This does not limit what God can do.

Even if we try to think of all the possible things God can do, we would not barely scratch the surface of what He is able to do.

Why to we fret?  Why do we worry? Why are we anxious? Why do we doubt? Why do we put limits on what we think God can and will do? Why do we fear?  Why do we get upset?  Are these indicators of our thinking of what we think God can do in our lives and situations?    

Is it possible we have limited thinking on what God can do because we spend limited time with Him.  We may give him the courtesy Sunday morning nod and maybe even a christian radio station on in the car but is there more substance to our walk than this?  Are these turning into a performance “check the box” kind of things and not really living and experiencing a faith filled daily walking together relationship with God.

Having a mind set on being in the presence of God throughout the day is much different than a “touch base with God” on and off during the week.  Walking with Him throughout the day is a choice.  This is similar to the choice to learn more of Him and from Him.  It is a choice to hear Him whisper into your life.  It is a choice to call on Him, to thank Him, to worship Him, to rely on Him, to wait for His leading, to follow Him, to obey Him, and to serve Him.

We will never approach seeing His mighty hand at work or doing the impossible unless we are in the presence of God, with faith leading our heart, mind, and soul closer and closer to Him.   

Separation

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

Hosea 5:4
Their deeds do not permit them
to return to their God.
For the spirit of whoredom is within them,
and they know not the Lord.
The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt;
Judah also shall stumble with them.
With their flocks and herds they shall go
to seek the Lord,
but they will not find him;
he has withdrawn from them.
They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord;

Isaiah 59:1
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.

Jeremiah 5:24
Let us fear the Lord our God,
who gives the rain in its season,
the autumn rain and the spring rain,
and keeps for us
the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
Your iniquities have turned these away,
and your sins have kept good from you.

How many times does God have to warn us of consequences?  “Your sins have kept good from you” – “Your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” – “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” – “Their deeds do not permit them to return to God”.    We have freedom to choose each day.  For the most part we choose what time we get up, what we eat, what we wear, what we drink, how we will speak to one another, what we read, what we will spend time on, …… AND whether or not we will fear God and humbly serve Him for His honor and glory from sunrise to sunset.  How many times do we read about how in times of peace the people fell away from God and entire generations did not know Him or what He had done or said and the consequences of it.  Either the “lack of” or seeking for “knowledge and understanding” of God, within a generation, depends on each of us.  First within our families and then within friends, neighbors, towns, states, country and to all parts of the world.   We are told to go out and make disciples in all of these places.  How do we make disciples of the God when all day long we choose to ignore knowledge and understanding of Him – When we choose to spend our time not serving or living for Him – When we do not commit to being used by Him – When we choose to not to read and obey His word – When we choose to not listen for His voice speaking to our heart.  Joshua said “Choose this day whom you will serve – as for me and my family we will serve the Lord.  David said “Search my heart oh God and see if there is any offensive way within me and lead me in paths that glorify you”