Who says it cannot be done?

 

READ 1 Chronicles 11–15

Many years ago we were moving to another city and needed a rental home. We found the ideal place and told the owner we would take it. However, he rented it to someone else. I’d prayed about this home and knew in my heart that we would live in it, regardless that it was already taken. We never found out what happened, only that the owner called us and said the first deal fell through and the house was ours. God does what looks impossible to us.

In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you (David) who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’ ” (1 Chronicles 11:2)

This looked impossible too. Saul tried to kill David many times, yet the day came when David was anointed king over all God’s people. Nothing is impossible for God.

When Jesus came, the plan was to redeem sinners, to make Jesus the Savior of the world. But people hated Him and eventually crucified Him, the innocent One. However, in that act of rejection and violence, Jesus did become the Savior; His death atoned for all sin. Then He rose from the dead and His life is now available for all who repent. He is our everlasting life. Nothing is impossible for God.

When “David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, ‘You will not come in here.’ Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.” (11:4–5) Man can say no, but when God says yes, it happens.

And David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. (11:7–9)

David was not alone in his rise to power. He had “mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” (11:10)

Even as Saul restricted his movements and sought his life, these mighty men helped him. They also helped him against a band of raiders and were “mighty men of valor” and became “a great army, like an army of God.” (12:21–22)

They came “arrayed in battle order . . . with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king.” (12:38) The God of the impossible at times uses people to accomplish His purposes.

He also wants His people, even the greatest leaders among them, to ask Him for direction and to follow what He says:

And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim . . . . And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations. (14:10–17)

David did not select people willy-nilly to do the work of the Lord. He looked for people who had the right skills for the task. For instance, “Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it.” (15:22) Even the God of the impossible is not apt to change tone-deaf wannabes into music directors rather than use those who are suited to the tasks He has in His plan.

God keeps His Word in redemptive history, using His power to make possible that which seems either unlikely or totally beyond happening. He brought the world Jesus, the Messiah through David, a shepherd boy, and so many other actions that seemed mind boggling at the time and even now.

God is faithful and powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him and as I go to prayer, I am glad that I can trust Him to fulfill all His promises, even those that appear totally beyond ever happening! I can also trust Him that He has put me where He wants me, and wants me to use the skills that He gave — all for His glory.