God of Possibilities

 

Last night, one person in our prayer group began asking God to do something when that person’s spouse whispered something to the effect that was not a good way to pray because of the impossibility of the situation. Today’s word just happened to be POSSIBLE!

In the Bible, possible refers to having the power or ability to alter or control circumstances. Obviously, the opposite is a lack of power to alter or control circumstances.

Equally obvious is that God can do anything that seems impossible for us. Faith is believing in what God says, whether we can see it on not, as Hebrews 11:6 says: “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Now I am wondering if the person who prayed that ‘impossible’ request will receive a positive answer to that prayer!

Jesus referred to impossibilities, at least to what His disciples thought was impossible . . .

Matthew 19:23–26. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

His entire time on earth was a demonstration of possibilities. He turned water into wine, walked on water, cast out demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. Often His actions were tied to the faith of those involved. In one situation, a child was tormented by demonic forces. In Mark 9:22–24, his father brought him to the disciples who couldn’t help but then Jesus came. The man said,

“ . . . . And it (the demon) has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus responded by rescuing the child from the evil forces that had been controlling him.

Most of us know the prayer Jesus prayed in the garden concerning His own situation. In Mark 14:35–36, He talked to His Father about possibilities . . .  

And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Much later in Acts 2:24, Peter said, “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Jesus had to die so that our sins could be forgiven making the cross a necessity. Perhaps a change to this horror was possible but it was not the will of God to remove it. At the same time, “it was impossible for death” to hold Jesus. Both the cross and the resurrection were possible, even necessities.

Later, Acts 8:22 ties the possibility of forgiveness to the necessity of repentance. A man involved in evil heard and believed, then offered money for Holy Spirit power. Peter told him to repent of his wickedness “and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” The uncertainty of forgiveness is there perhaps because his sin was still evident and the guilty person had not yet repented. He seemed worried only that he would suffer the consequences of his sin rather than he was sinning against God. Our lack of obedience can block God from doing what is possible.

This word translated possible can also describe ability and how Jesus is “mighty in word and deed” and also as a noun to describe God Himself in verses such as “the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. These thoughts make me realize how important it is to keep my focus on God’s power and nature. How could I trust a God who cannot do the tough stuff? Nor should I think that He is unable to answer certain prayers because what I ask is too difficult. He may not grant selfish requests, but anything that is clearly His will is never impossible. Asking in faith and without doubt honors His power and His promises. Believing that nothing is too hard for Him gives Him glory and gives me the expectation that He can do “exceedingly above and beyond all that I can ask or imagine.” For that reason, I’m praying with that person who prayed the outrageous prayer. If it is God’s will, the answer is possible and well within His mighty power.