Impossible!

TEXT:

‘For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfilment’ (Luke 1:37 AMPC)

THOUGHT:

In the Bible, God asks this question, ‘Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?’ (Isaiah 49:15 NLT). Unfortunately, as many have experienced, mothers do suddenly leave home, never to be seen again. God is not like that. ‘But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands’. In other words, whatever He is doing, there is always the reminder that He is doing it for us! It is impossible that God could ever forget us, for He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.¹

Today’s Teaching considers four scriptures about “Impossible”. May they lift our spirits during this pandemic and encourage us to expect greater things from the God we have put our trust in!

• It is Impossible for God to Lie 

‘He has given us both his promise and his oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie’ (Hebrews 6:18 TLB)

We can lie and most of us are very good at it (whether it’s deliberate or so-called white lies) but God cannot for He is the Truth. ‘God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?’ (Numbers 23:19 MSG).

If God cannot lie, then everything He says in His Word must be true. The Psalmist declared, ‘Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way’ (Psalm 119:128). This is our starting point. Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ (John 14:6). If I and the Bible disagree, I am wrong! Why? Because God speaks the truth, always, only!

• It is Impossible for Animal Sacrifice to take away Sins

‘For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins’ (Hebrews 10:4 GNB)

In the Garden of Eden, God had to shed blood to give animal skins to clothe Adam and Eve.² All God could do was cover the sin of the sinner. When Jesus shed his blood on the cross, it was to cleanse the sinner. John the Baptist said about Jesus, ‘Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). Prior to that, every animal sacrifice meant human involvement. The High Priest had to offer the blood, first for his own sin, then for the sins of the people.³ Jesus, being righteous and without sin, did not have to do that for Himself, only for us. Whenever we think we can add something or do something to solve the sin problem, we need to say, “Impossible!” Only Jesus could have done that, and He did!

• It is Impossible to please God without Faith

‘And it is impossible to please God without faith’ (Hebrews 11:6 NLT).

We do not naturally have this faith, so God has to give it to us. This is what He does for everyone, and does it willingly. ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8).

God is thrilled when people turn to Him, for that gift of faith is being activated. Jesus promised that He would not turn away anyone who came to Him.⁴ God has given us the very thing we need to please Him.

• What is Impossible for Men is Possible with God

‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26)

God says “We cannot” but then says, “He can!” I have been blessed with the song “Rattle” by Elevation Worship. One line says, “Since when has impossible ever stopped You!” When Mary asked, “How can these things happen?” after being told she, although a virgin, would give birth to Christ, Gabriel replied, ‘For with God nothing will be impossible’ (Luke 1:37).

God does not mind us asking, “How?” just as long as we listen to His answer and then reply like Mary, ‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants’ (Luke 1:38 TLB).

What problems or difficulties are you facing that are impossible? Remember they are not impossible with God. Let that God-given faith permeate every part of your life! Jesus said to His disciples when unbelief had stopped them from doing the will of God, ‘For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’ (Matthew 17:20).

Thank God we can have faith in the One True God who promises, “All things are possible!” He promises to save and keep you, so make sure your faith is in Him today.

Endnotes:

¹ Hebrews 13:5

² Genesis 3:21

³ Hebrews 7:27

⁴ John 6:37