Mission Impossible
Impossible for mankind is possible for God.
“After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless…Yahweh brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.” He believed in Yahweh, who credited it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:1-2, 5-6
Hope can diminish with each passing day when the longings of our hearts are unfulfilled or our prayers are unanswered. Abram wanted a child, but was childless. He was an old and his wife was past childbearing age.
What does God say? Look up! Have faith! I know your hearts desires. You need to know the incredible plans I have for you. Not only will you have a child but countless offspring. Abram had the courage to believe and it was pleasing to God. Where have I let a dream die, a hope fade, or promise unwind? What are the plans God has for you?
“Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary?…He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart…who honors those who fear Yahweh…he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change”
Psalms 15:1-2, 4
Faith is believing and doing. Faith is a step where we choose to walk according to God’s ways and His truth. God wants to teach us how to unlock the kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Where does God want to grow you so he can grow your faith?
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger….The path of life leads upward for the wise….he hears the prayer of the righteous…The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones…fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.” Proverbs 15:1, 9, 24, 29-30, 33
Hope lifts us up. Hope in the Lord is more an expectation of God doing what He promises than wishing on a penny we toss in a well. Humility teaches us that we might not know how God will bring hope, but it trusts that He will make a way.
“In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly.” Isaiah 15:3
Life can make you want to hide in a cave or crawl in a hole. Hard times impact our faith and belief that the best is yet to come. These difficult moments are where we have to choose to stand on the truth of the promises of God. He is faithful. He hears our cries for help and knows what we need most. What do you need to lay down before the Lord today so you can grab hold of Him? He is our reward. He is our hope.
“Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them…and they glorified the God of Israel…Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat…The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”…He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave…They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.” Matthew 15:30-37
Multitudes of people who came to Jesus found healing. Before the people even asked for food, Jesus knew their need and knew how to meet it.
The gospels teach us a beautiful truth. The truth is that with Jesus all things are possible through all who believe. Truth teaches us we can transition our thinking from the fears of not being feeling unseen or unworthy, fears of provision, fears of feeling it is too late to live a life of purpose. Truth teaches us to believe in a life of faith confident in Jesus our savior to be our living hope. He answers our prayers and like God did with Abram has plans that are far greater than we can ask or imagine.
Today is a day to look up and fix our eyes on Jesus as He guides us to a new vision of hope centered in Him and founded on the promises of God.