Daily Devotional

-April 27, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-With God All Things Are Possible-

“But He said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with men.’”

(Luke 18:27).

The context of this verse is right after the Rich Young Ruler left the presence of Jesus without following His words to, “Sell and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come and follow Me” (Luke 18:22). Jesus told His disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through a eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved. In other words, it cannot happen that anyone trusting in his own riches can be saved.

Under the Old Covenant, riches were seen as a blessing from God, a sign of His favor. Under the New Covenant, riches or anything else one may trust in is more of a hindrance or detriment to one getting saved. Salvation is by grace through faith and is not ourselves. Every conversion is a miracle because the world, the flesh, and the devil are working non-stop against it. Those who heard Jesus’ words asked the natural question, “…Who then can be saved” (Luke 18:26)? Today’s verse is Jesus’ answer, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

In the gospel records we have it put in both the positive and negative wordings, and both are true. Here in our text is the positive: all things are possible with God. We also see the negative: nothing is impossible with God. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in Luke 3:37, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” The only thing that is impossible for God is to lie. And essentially, that is true of any sin, for God cannot sin.

In human terms when something is impossible, it cannot be done. God has no such limitations. God told Jeremiah, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me” (Jeremiah 32:27)? God is infinite, we are finite; God is limitless, we are limited. If we find ourselves in an impossible situation, know with certainty it is not impossible for God. He is omnipotent. The salient point is it not can God do it, but is it is will to do it.

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times that the cup of death and judgment would pass from Him. He said, “O My Father, if it possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Paul prayed three that the thorn in his flesh be removed, but God instead gave Him His sufficient grace to handle it. Please see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. In both cases, the answer was no.

God’s wills to answer yes, no, or wait. One the door is wide open, two, the door is closed, and third, it is open a crack and we must wait for God to open it fully in His time. Let us trust in the Lord and leave matters in His hands, just as Jesus and Paul did. Sometimes God says no, but He always gives us sufficient grace. We should pray for healing, deliverance, success, and victory. Our faith should not waver when we have God’s favor! We should always know that He knows best for us.

Have a blessed day praying earnestly and fervently for Him to answer and that His will be done. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean