August 01, 2018
by Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Impossible!
Has this word crossed your lips lately as you peer at an unsolvable
problem? The dictionary defines impossible as “incapable of
being done, attained, or fulfilled: insuperably difficult.” 1
So, what’s your “insuperably difficult” circumstance?
Perhaps an adult child who has strayed in the wrong direction? Maybe a
marriage in which you and your spouse hardly speak to each other? A
physical ailment declared untreatable by a doctor? The categories of
“impossibilities” go on and on. Whatever the obstacle,
it’s impassable; whatever the situation, it’s intolerable. No counselor, friend, pastor, or family member can
bring the needed change.
If I’ve described your situation, I have great news. I’m so
glad that I memorized it years ago and call it to mind often. Here it is:
We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly
disguised as impossible situations.
That impossibility in your life? Inside its uncrackable shell is an
incredible opportunity waiting to come to life. How do I know? Because
Jesus has the power to make the impossible possible! How can I be certain?
Because Jesus demonstrated such power during His ministry. The book of John
records seven miracles that show Jesus’ astonishing power over things
that can stump us. Let’s look at all seven briefly and the power they
display:
1. Power over quality. At a wedding in Cana, when the wine ran
out, Jesus told the servants to fill six stone pots with water and take a
cupful to the headwaiter. Putting the cup to his lips, the waiter tasted
that Jesus had not only turned the water into wine, but the best
wine (John 2:1–12).
2. Power over distance. Later, a royal official came to Cana to
ask Jesus to heal his dying son in Capernaum, about twenty miles away.
Without moving, Jesus told him, “‘Go back home. Your son will
live!’” (4:50). He healed the boy from a distance.
3. Power over time. By the pool of Bethesda, Jesus saw a man who
had been disabled for 38 years. The Lord commanded him, “‘Stand
up, pick up your mat, and walk!’” (5:8). It didn’t matter
that the man had been lame for almost four decades; when Jesus said
“walk,” he walked!
4. Power over quantity. Next, Jesus fed a crowd of over 5,000
people with five small loaves and two sardine-sized fish (6:1–15).
How could so little feed so many? The math didn’t add up for the
disciples, but lack of enough never limited Jesus’ ability.
5. Power over nature. When a strong wind stirred up the sea and
the terrified disciples strained at the oars to make it to shore, Jesus
walked on the water and calmed the storm (6:16–21).
6. Power over misfortune. In Jerusalem, Jesus noticed a man blind
since birth. Without hype or hoopla, the Light of the World brought light
to the man’s eyes (9:1–7).
7. Power over death. When Lazarus died, his sisters’ hopes
died with him. However, Jesus transformed their impossibility into the
perfect opportunity to glorify God by bringing Lazarus back to life
(11:1–44).
Humanly speaking, each of these problems seemed as impossible as calculus
to a preschooler. But to Jesus, the solution was obvious. He understood,
“‘What is impossible for people is possible with
God’” (Luke 18:27). He lived every day by Jeremiah’s
prayer:
“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong
hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”
(Jeremiah 32:17)
Why don’t you take a moment to pray Jeremiah’s prayer regarding
your impossibility? Finish the phrase, “O Sovereign Lord, nothing is
too hard for You regarding _____________,” and write down your
personal impossibility. Then commit to surrendering that impossibility to
the Lord from this day on.
Miracles are surprising, unexplainable, and as rare as a flawless pearl.
But they do occur! We can’t predict when God will sovereignly say,
“Now,” and transform our impossibilities into opportunities.
What we can do is believe in His power and rest in His sovereignty.
Let me add a final thought. When Jesus issued the Great Commission, He
invited each of us to live in the realm of the humanly impossible. At
Insight for Living Ministries, we thrive on impossibilities because,
frankly, if we’re not attempting the impossible, we might be missing
an opportunity for God. Will you join us? Partner with us in our Vision 195 goal of making disciples in all
195 countries. Let’s witness Jesus making the impossible possible in our day!