God loves the word "impossible"

“I love those who yearn for the impossible.”

                      Goethe

  When Igor Sikorsky was 12, his parents told him that all of the competent authorities had already proved human flight impossible. And so Igor Sikorsky went on to build the first helicopter. In his American plant, he posted this sign: “According to recognized aerotechnical tests, the bumblebee cannot fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee does not know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway.” 

  Did you know that God loves to do the impossible? The Bible is brimming over with example after example where something or some situation was humanly impossible – and then God did it.

  Repeatedly, God’s Word promises that God will do the impossible. Here are just a few: Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

  What’s your impossible situation? Maybe for you it’s a wayward child and it seems hopeless. It’s been years, possibly decades since they showed any spiritual interest. Keep praying my friend, keep trusting and being an example to Christlikeness. God hears your prayers. They may not be answered while you’re still on this side of eternity, but God is still faithful.

  Maybe it’s a marriage that’s unraveling. Maybe there’s not overt conflict, just a brewing below the surface, like a volcano bubbling yet not exploding…and you long for so much more. Can anyone promise that God will get a hold of your mate’s heart? No, but I can guarantee that if you quit, it’s very unlikely that they will surrender to the Lord. And God’s grace is sufficient to enable you to be the person that He desires you to be in even a difficult marriage.

  Perhaps you struggle with guilt or depression or anxiety. Those feelings may not even completely disappear on this side of eternity, but feelings aren’t real. We’re to live by faith not feelings. God’s Word, God’s promises are real. He’s the Rock you need and can trust when your own heart feels like sinking sand.

  Look at the pages in both biblical and church history. Those accounts clearly show that whenever you seek to accomplish anything significant for the Lord, you’ll always face strong opposition. Satan never bothers with halfhearted people who are content with some ho-hum spiritual existence.

  But if you’re on fire for Jesus, look out! The name Satan means “adversary.” He’s committed to opposing God and His people, especially when they’re zealous to exalt God’s glory and step out in faith. We’re in a spiritual battle, and this is true on a very personal level.

  As long as you live with one foot in the world, living according to the world’s values and for the world’s goals, Satan won’t bother you. You can go to church and even pray and read your Bible, and he won’t mind. But the minute you wake up from your spiritual lethargy, shake off a worldly mindset, and commit yourself to radical obedience to Jesus Christ, you’ll encounter spiritual opposition! He’ll send scud missiles with your name and picture on them into your life.

  And this is true for churches and church leaders. Whenever godly leaders attempt to rally God’s people to advance His kingdom, opposition will hit. Satan doesn’t mind when churches gather to sing and to hear soothing sermons about how to use the Bible to achieve personal success. Those churches aren’t a threat to his domain of darkness. But when a pastor preaches the gospel that convicts sinners of their sin in the presence of a holy God and points them to the cross of Jesus Christ, look out! When a pastor calls the flock to obedient, holy living in this wicked world, look out! When a pastor directs the vision of the flock toward the unreached nations who are waiting to hear the gospel, look out! The enemy of our souls is committed to opposing that kind of work. We must be ready for such opposition and know how to respond to it. When Satan opposes us, as he surely will, we must persevere, responding with faith, prayer, work, vigilance, keeping our eyes on Jesus not on our circumstances. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

  A branch of United States Navy called the Seabees had as their slogan during World War II, “If it’s difficult, it will take a day or two. If it’s impossible, it will take a little longer.” So how long has it been since you attempted something that seems humanly impossible? Do you want to do that? Consider four important rules for attempting the impossible.

  Rules #1: Get advice from people of faith, not people of doubt. There will always be those who will tell you God won’t come through and how you can’t do it. Don’t get counsel from doubters. Get godly advice from godly people.

  Rule #2: Don’t attempt to do the impossible in your own strength. If what we’re doing is spiritual, we’re foolish if we think we can do it in our own power. That’s the big difference in what the positive Christians do and what negative Christians do. Trusting Christians say, “I can in Christ’s strength.” Negative, doubting Christians say, “we can’t.” Both are right.

  Rule #3: Step out on faith. Peter would never have walked on water if he’d stayed in the boat. Too many of us are still in the boat, but you can’t serve the Lord in the boat. Why do we have difficulty practicing our spiritual gifts? Why don’t we see God do great things? Because we’re so comfortable hunkering down in our boats.

  Rule #4: Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the circumstances. Circumstances are often frightening. There will always be good reasons (or excuses) for playing it safe. God told Gideon to take on a huge army with just 300 soldiers. God told Noah to build a boat as big as a barge and Noah had never seen rain. Their perspective was vertical, not horizontal. In attempting the impossible, you must focus your gaze on Jesus!

  Someone wisely said, “Those who are afraid of failing will never become successful.” My friend, attempt great things for God and expect great things from Him! God loves to do the impossible!