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.

 

Choices . . .

 

READ 1 Corinthians 13–16

Reading 1 Corinthians helps me remember what my old life was like and that I’m not living like that any longer. These chapters produce conviction and joy. The conviction is about how unloving I have been . . .

Lord, forgive my selfish pride in the times my words and actions have been mere noise without caring about helping others, only looking good. Sometimes I have been impatient, unkind, envious, boastful, arrogant and rude. I often insist on my own way, am irritable and resentful, rejoice at someone doing wrong (even me) and not excited when confronted with the truth. I’ve often been unable to bear certain behaviors in others, or believe in them or You, and sometimes lose hope things will change or go better. My endurance level can be low and short. (1 Corinthians 13:1–7) This is not love and I must admit it, must forsake such selfishness. If I really love You, I will be eager to show Your love to those around me. And these chapters give many examples:

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. (1 Corinthians 14:1–3)

How many times have You given me knowledge and words and I uttered them without considering their effect on others? Too many. You want me to build up, encourage and console, and how can I do that unless my focus is on teaching or revealing something for their sake, not to impress them, but to forsake my selfishness.

I’m thankful for good teaching and experience concerning speaking in tongues. Like Paul, I “would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue” and do not forbid it, but realize the rules are clearly laid down and know Your priority is that your people do things “decently and in order” rather than in chaos or the personal excitement of having this experience.

The most joy comes from knowing the Gospel. It is this truth that is called that of “first importance” and simply stated: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) Forgive me for not sharing this good news when I should and not always putting it in ‘first importance’ — the greatest priority in my life.

For I am the least of Your children, unworthy to be called a Christian because I’ve done nothing to earn or deserve it, but even worse, thinking that I could do something that would make me worthy instead of realizing how foolish that is and how much I need grace, even totally depend on it. I’ve worked hard at times, but not always by grace. Too often it was me trying to prove something rather than “the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:9–10)

I’ve heard Christians say, “If all this is not true, at least we’ve lived a good life” and agreed, but only briefly because Your Word says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17–19) I realize that genuine faith abandons a life of selfish I wants, and gives up indulging self to serve others. If I live otherwise, I’d be just like the person who says, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” rather than be like You who bids me to:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant . . . . (Philippians 2:3–7)

Living for me is easy and requires no exhortation or encouragement. However, You say this to me:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

That old life, the former me, lived for things that had no eternal value and was always motivated by selfish I-wants. Taking care of myself is not forbidden, but with Christ living in me, I have far more options!