Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

This question was famously repeated in a slightly different form to Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 32:27) and stated in positive form to Mary. (Luke 1:37) We have such difficulty really accepting it! On one level it’s only reasonable that the Creator of the universe would be able to do anything He liked, but on practically every other level we try to pull God down to ourselves, and refuse to believe that He could do anything we couldn’t do. That’s even worse than a small child thinking their father couldn’t reach the cookies on the shelf, when they are at eye level for the father. Human beings could be described as a list of limitations, but there are precious few things, indeed only one, that can be said to be impossible for God, and that is that He can’t be untrue to Himself. He is Love and He is Holiness and He is Justice and all of that, and He can’t be untrue to that. However, things that seem impossible to us are absolutely no obstacle. We generally take a lifetime to re-learn that, after we lose our childlike faith. That’s why Jesus said we can’t enter His kingdom unless we receive it as a little child would receive something you give them. We doubt God’s ability to save us, and worse, we doubt His love and His will to do so. As Jesus told Thomas, we need to stop doubting and believe! (John 20:27)

You would think that by this time such faith would be automatic for me, but I find I often have to choose to believe. Faith is a gift, but we must choose to receive it. I need to make this more clear as I talk to those who have not yet received. In Japanese society, “faith” is seen as something esoteric, difficult, and even a little scary. Christians of course have gotten past that on the surface, but there is a good bit of residual hesitation about faith. I need to believe that God will use me to help others believe Him! Perhaps the most difficult thing from my perspective is helping the members of this church believe that God can and will use them to bring others into faith. I need to trust that He can use even me to accomplish that, for the salvation of many and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Help me receive the faith to trust You to do this in and through me. Birthing people into Your family is no more difficult than Sarah birthing Isaac! Help me remember that nothing is impossible for You, and be faithful to do the work of an evangelist, not making excuses but trusting You, so that Your will may be done in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!