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.

Peace, but not yet . . .

Humanity’s original assignment was, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) This dominion included all our needs supplied, but when Adam and Eve sinned, this ruined our ability to subdue and take dominion.

However, it didn’t rob us of the desire. MacArthur points to the effort expended in environmental issues and problems. Many have made them the focus of our problems instead of realizing how sin has ruined all ability to fulfill that mandate given by God. Once sin entered, the results were immediate:

To the woman (God) said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:16–19)

The animal kingdom fears or tries to destroy people. The earth grows weeds. We have extremes of heat and cold, poisonous plants, dangerous reptiles, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, hurricanes, and disease. Yet our battle with the earth is surpassed by our battles with one another. The effects of sin are greater on human relationships than what sin has done to this planet.

In my heart, I want the world to be a better place. Even the earth itself longs for that day. As the NT says:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:18–23)

When the angels proclaimed peace on earth at the birth of Jesus, it only happens now in the hearts of those who fully trust Him. Watch the news — there is very little peace on earth, but there is a day coming when Jesus will return and establish the will of God, a day that my heart also longs for, a time that the Bible describes:

Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)

“The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:25)

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

PRAY: Jesus, on this Christmas Eve many hearts long for ‘peace on earth’ and we sing carols to celebrate Your coming and Your promise to restore this world to what You intend for it and for us. Bless our hearts with the assurance and hope we so desperately long for, and the ability to thank You that You will redeem the earth from the curse of sin, just as You have promised and just as You have redeemed us.

PONDER: ways I can share the peace of heart God gives me with those who mourn and struggle with the fact that, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:8)