Impossible?

‘With men it is impossible, but not with God.’ Mark 10:27 NKJV

Ever been struggling with something, or waiting for something to happen, and someone quotes the verse ‘all things are possible with God’? While it can be a great encouragement, it’s important to add some context, otherwise we can end up feeling disappointed and disillusioned when things don’t happen the way we want.

First, we need to realise it says ‘all things are possible’, not ‘all things will happen’. Just because something is possible, it doesn’t mean it’s right for us. While God might be able to change our situation or give us the thing we’re praying for, He might not. That’s not because He’s trying to teach us a lesson or doesn’t love us. It’s because He knows what’s best for us and can see the bigger picture.

Secondly, this verse is found in a conversation about being saved by God. A rich young man came to Jesus and asked Him how he could have eternal life. Jesus taught the people that entering God’s Kingdom is challenging. He said, ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.’ (Mark 10:24 NIV) The disciples exclaimed: ‘Who then can be saved?’ (Mark 10:26 NIV) That’s when Jesus said that all things are possible with God.

We can’t earn our salvation. We will never be good enough to enter God’s Kingdom. But because of Jesus, we can have eternal life. He’s made it possible for us to enter the Kingdom. So while it’s true that ‘all things are possible with God,’ let’s remember the context around this verse, thank Jesus for what He’s done, and be grateful that God wants the best for us.

SoulFood: Est 4:9–5:3, Heb 4:7–16

word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2020

Today’s Readings

Esther 4:9–5:3 ()

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9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

5:1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.”

Hebrews 4:7–16 ()

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7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

  “Today, if you hear his voice,
  do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.