At just the time when it seems like something is impossible, or there are no answers to a dilemma, we are reminded from God’s Word that nothing – absolutely nothing, is impossible for our God! It’s in these times of amazement that we learn to enjoy the awesome power of our God, and we regain confidence that there is nothing too big for our God. Perhaps you are burdened with stuff that has forced you to search even deeper for the God who deals in impossibilities. Today could be that very day!
DATE POSTED Saturday, 2021-08-21
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Joshua 3:14-17
TRANSLATION: The Message (MSG)
BIBLE TEXT: 14-16 …. The people left their tents to cross the Jordan, led by the priests carrying the Chest of the Covenant. When the priests got to the Jordan and their feet touched the water at the edge (the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest), the flow of water stopped. It piled up in a heap—a long way off—at Adam, which is near Zarethan. The river went dry all the way down to the Arabah Sea (the Salt Sea). And the people crossed, facing Jericho.
17 And there they stood; those priests carrying the Chest of the Covenant stood firmly planted on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground. Finally the whole nation was across the Jordan, and not one wet foot.
APPLICATION: Many stories come to mind as I am reminded of individuals who approached Jesus with situations that seemed ‘impossible’ to every one around them:
– -> A man crippled from birth – he wanted to walk like everyone else, but doctors, family and friends knew that there was no earthly way that could happen;
– -> A child whose sickness led to her death – her dad (Jairus) searched for Jesus when all earthly efforts proved empty;
– -> Over 1 million people faced a crossroads of either continuing to suffer in slavery, or listening to God’s messengers (Moses and Aaron) to follow them – through the Wilderness, with God as their provider of all necessary provisions;
– -> The Israelites stood at a further crossroads in life when Pharaoh’s army was right on their heels, and the Red Sea ahead of them. BUT God provided a miraculous way for them, even when there appeared to be no way; and
– -> In today’s testimony of our miraculous King, the Israelites followed the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant right up to the overflowing Red Sea, hoping that God would provide a way – another miracle?
These are exciting stories to read, but are they fairytales, or are we to think that this same God of Bible miracles is the same God that we serve today? For we awake each morning with increased challenges to our faith and wonder if Jesus will return today, or will He perform yet another miracle for our family/friends/loved ones? Some reading or listening to this devotional today may have awoken to news of yet another family member stricken by cancer, or Covid; Some may have loved ones in Haiti where increasing numbers are reported dead every day from the recent earthquake; Some may have loved ones trying to get out of Afghanistan, but from the scenes shown on the news each day, you just don’t know if they will survive the mobs fighting for their life. So like the Israelites, we also stand at a crossroads about what today may bring. Will God heal our loved ones? Is God in control, even in a distant land like Haiti or Afghanistan? Can God truly do what is impossible in the eyes of mankind? Friends, let me encourage you today to look at the faith, and the outcomes, of my above examples: God provided direction, food, water and protection for the Israelites; The crippled man took up his bed and walked, when commanded to do so by Jesus; In spite of the crowd jeering at Jesus when He said the child was just asleep, yet at the command of Jesus, the daughter of Jairus stood up and greeted her father; And, because of their faith and at the instruction of the Master, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground without any threat of drowning. But to apply this to our purpose today, let me ask you where is your faith? Have you recently petitioned the Father for anything that seems impossible to man? Through your eyes of faith, are you able to see beyond the realm of man’s knowledge and expertise, and instead look into the eyes of Jesus who specializes in things thought impossible by man? There is hope my friend! You may be looking at situations that seem impossible in every sense of man’s abilities, but God may be waiting for you to look through eyes of faith and ask Him to intervene on your behalf. If you haven’t done that yet, may I encourage you to never give up on the power, strength and abilities of our Father, for NOTHING is impossible with God!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our Father will create a path where they seems to be no way. He can respond to situations thought to be impossible to man. Have faith!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, if there ever was a time that we needed You, it’s now. Life itself seems out of control as we sit helpless as family members contract dreaded diseases for which there may not be a cure. In fact, there are so many uncertainties that we often stand in a quandary about what tomorrow will bring. I pray that all who read or listen to this devotional will take time to examine their own heart and, through a test of their faith, be willing to seek the face of the only One who has answers to, or can do anything about, current circumstances. Lord I thank You for reminding us of the awesome God that we serve. May our faith be strengthened and, as we are tested, learn to look into the eyes of the only One who can do what others feel is impossible. What an awesome God that we serve! Thank You Jesus for hearing our cry, seeing our desperation and be willing to extend Your power once again in our desperate moments. AMEN!