IS ANYTHING IMPOSSIBLE?

IS ANYTHING IMPOSSIBLE?
August 2023
By Al Mansfield

There is a particular message that comes up a number of times in Scripture, which I find especially encouraging and helpful. It has to do with what is possible. It seems that we humans tend to think in terms of limitation and what is impossible because we are, in fact, limited and certain things are just not possible for us to do or accomplish. But that is not the case with God. With God, all things are possible and nothing is impossible for him. Let's take a look at some places where this is emphasized in Scripture.

BUSINESS AS USUAL?

Jeremiah 32:17, 27

In the midst of much chaos and uncertainty, fear and discouragement, God tells Jeremiah to buy a plot of land from his cousin. At this point, Jeremiah is actually in prison and Jerusalem is under siege by Babylon. Not an ideal situation for a real estate transaction! It was a time of great national, social, and personal turmoil. Yet God had a plan in mind and brought it about through seemingly impossible circumstances.

Jeremiah prayed, "O Lord God, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm, there is nothing too hard for you (Jer. 32:17). In other words, nothing is impossible for God.

God then answers Jeremiah this way, "Behold, I am the Lord God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me?" (Jer. 32:27). The answer to God's question is, of course, a resounding, "NO!"

ANNUNCIATION TO MARY
Luke 1:37

This passage relates the Angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she is to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary asks how this could be and is told the Holy Spirit of God would accomplish it. After informing Mary that her relative Elizabeth - considered to be barren - is now six months pregnant,  Gabriel adds, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

The same God who could make it possible for a barren woman - Elizabeth - to conceive can also make it possible for Mary to conceive supernaturally by the Holy Spirit.

RICH YOUNG MAN
Matthew 19:21
Mark 10:27
Luke 18:27

All three Synoptic Gospels relate the account of the "rich young man" who wanted to know what he had to do in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the Ten Commandments. When the man says he has observed them from his youth, Jesus invites the man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and to follow as a disciple. The young man went away sad because he had many possessions. Jesus then states that it is very hard for those with riches to enter the kingdom of God.

The disciples ask the question, "Who then can be saved?"  To which Jesus replies, "With men it is impossible but not for God; for all things are possible with God." Jesus then promises great rewards to those who have sacrificed all to follow him.

FAITH
(Matthew 17:20)
Mark 9:23
(Luke 17:6)

The Synoptics all tell the story of a father begging Jesus to heal his son who had epilepsy. The account in Mark's gospel is more detailed and contains the saying, "All things are possible to him who believes."

In Matthew's gospel, Jesus says that faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain. The parallel passage in Luke says the same thing about a sycamine tree.

Some have interpreted this saying to mean that we don't need great faith, but rather a little faith in a great God!

THEREFORE...

Sometimes, when I don't know exactly what to do or even how to pray for a particular situation, I simply repeat, "With God, all things are possible, " or "With you, Lord, all things are possible; your will be done." I am very much aware of the smallness of my faith, so I try to remind myself of the fact that God is infinite and nothing - absolutely nothing - is impossible for him.

A verse from St. Paul is encouraging to me, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Praise the name of the Lord our God, now and forevermore!