Nothing is too hard for God

 
Sometimes God does things just to prove that He can. At least that is how it seems to me. For instance, surgeons remove a damaged human heart, replace it with a donor from some unfortunate soul who died in good health, and the heart starts beating all by itself. In my mind, that is a God-thing!

The latest was a story on the news this week. It involved a rescued magpie and a dog that looks like a pit bull. They are best friends, grew up together, and created quite a sensation with their playful antics. But some complained that the dog owner did not have a license to take in wildlife so these two creatures were separated by the silliness of human beings. Someone decided to let common sense reign so they are now back together. Read the story HERE.

One OT prophecy speaks of a day coming when the world will be at peace. The context refers to the return of the Messiah and the described conditions are startling:

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6–9)

If I ever doubt that the animals will be no danger to children and a lion can lie down with a lamb, I just need to remember this pit bull and the magpie. Humans have explanations for this strange relationship, but I’ve no doubt this is another God-thing. It shows that He can fulfill that prophecy.

Our Bible study group talked last night about the differences between our theology on paper and our theology in life. Many times Christians speak highly of the power of God yet their lives are made wretched and their usefulness is hindered because in reality they live filled with doubts and think more like atheists. That is harsh, but if I worry instead of praying, who am I trusting?

Today’s devotional ends with a statement that our inner spiritual conflict is far more like spiritual rebellion against the God we claim to know. Then it says this: “Our fight is to be a fight of faith; and the moment we let in doubts, our fight ceases and our rebellion begins.”

I’m thankful for glimpses of God. He tells me to walk by faith, not by sight, yet now and then surprises me with a God-thing — something that makes obvious that He can do what most of us think will not ever happen.

PRAY: Lord, when I take up my prayer list for needs and requests, may I pray with faith, trusting You to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or imagine… like making enemies into friends, granting life to dead hearts, and giving eternal life to those who think they do not need You when without You they will perish.

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.

 

Leaving out the supernatural makes the Bible just another book

When I was writing for magazines, I had several opportunities to hear lectures on how to do an interview. One point stands out — be accurate when recording quotes. Several years ago there was a dramatic incident near the farm where my parents lived. A man died in a fire. A radio station called my mother and asked several questions, then put her answers on the evening news. However, they took phrases from each statement and mixed them up making her comments totally different than what she actually said. She was furious. This is not the way to do an interview!

My devotions are now from Acts, the second book Luke wrote about Christian history. For this book, he had a great deal of firsthand experience. He also did personal interviews. Paul was able to tell him of his Gentile ministry. The leaders at Jerusalem gave him information concerning the Jerusalem church. Philip in Caesarea shared with him stories about his ministry. These interviews had to be accurate, not painting a false picture.

As I scan the book of Acts, I spot places where a writer might be tempted to show some bias or tone down the action so readers will believe it. The first is Jesus’ ascension.

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6–11)

In a day when sci-fi movie makers can produce outlandish scenes, this one should not be too difficult to believe, but our scientific knowledge of outer space creates all sorts of questions. Jesus was in a human body. Human bodies rarely levitate and if they did, rising to the clouds and out of sight seems ridiculous. For instance, what happened when He ran out of air? Had I been Luke, would I be tempted to leave out this scenario to make my story more credible?

In the next chapter of Acts, Luke describes the coming of the Holy Spirit. This story is also difficult for an inquiring mind to accept . . .

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1–4)

I can imagine a sound filling a house. Movie makers could create the illusion of fire over the heads of each one there. I can also imagine them speaking in strange languages, yet when this filling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is widely examined, it creates many questions. In this case, those visiting Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost heard them speaking in their own language, yet those speaking did not know those languages. It seems this just happened; they didn’t plan or expect it. Later in the New Testament, Jesus’ followers were told not to speak in tongues unless someone could interpret, as if they could turn it on or off. They were warned not to babble as some of the pagans did when they worshiped their idols.

Had I been Luke, I would either clarify these issues about speaking in tongues, or omit them due to the controversy they created, both then and now. Yet a good interview tells the story as it was told, not what the interviewer wants to write, such as leaving out parts or mixing up the quote.

Another important factor was at work when Luke wrote his Gospel and the book of Acts — the Holy Spirit was involved. That means whatever Luke or any other person wrote was what God wanted them to say.

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)

The original texts are no longer available. Copies are made from copies. Words and letters were counted to keep them accurate. Still, some areas are difficult to translate, interpret, or understand. However, if the Bible is allowed to say what it says, most major translations are reliable, not because Luke or anyone else was perfect, but because God is able to preserve His Word for all generations.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I’m thankful that Your Word was recorded in all its characteristics; the easy parts and the parts that are challenging. I can believe in the life, death, resurrection and ascension, not because Luke knew how to write it, but because Your Spirit was thoroughly involved. Nothing is too hard for God including the ascension, or gifting people to speak in tongues, or the work of the Holy Spirit, or the writing and preservation of what You wanted to say to us.