Is anything too hard for the LORD?
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)
The theme for this year is “Renewed Zeal for Gospel Ministry”, and this lockdown was not envisaged when the theme was coined. But here we are, and despite the circumstances, God has called us to this. In this season, this ministry has enjoyed support from many givers, and we are very grateful. We have also been able to reach and share food with some families and ministry volunteers. Times are hard and uncertain – some people have gone hungry, walked long distances, some have lost jobs, and programs are disrupted – yet there are also testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness, carrying us through one step at a time. Be encouraged; learn to trust in God through it all.
The shorter title for this homily should be “God can!” To encourage someone as we go through this life on earth, and as we look forward to eternal salvation – just remember this one thing: God can, God can! I am now drifting to an old song sung by Alvin Slaughter in 1996; here are some of the lyrics, and at the end of each line you sing
‘… God can, God can!’
When you can’t find the answers to all your doubts and fears …
When you are needing someone to wipe away your tears …
When you can’t change your past and you can’t heal your broken heart …
When you can’t find courage to make a brand new start …
Two discussions in the Bible will help to seal the deal: To Abraham and Sarah came the stinging question, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” And to the perplexed disciples discussing the feasibility of entering heaven Jesus said, “all things are possible with God”. Genesis 18 brings us the explicit promise of Isaac in the first half, and in the second half Abraham intercedes for Sodom. The first part is particularly homely and humourous as it contains visitors well received and served, and then engaging in an outlandish intervention that got Sarah laughing – the promise of baby Isaac. It sounded impossible to the old couple; they had already accepted their terrible difficulties even after making it all worse with the ever stressful Hagar/Ishmael episode. God still makes a promise to transform their situation and bring them healing and a bright future.
Has your life had a scandal? Or do you think your situation is beyond repair? God still can. One question will silence any doubts and any skepticism – the question that silenced that old couple: Is anything too hard for the LORD? Return, look to God and trust Him for life today and eternal salvation, fully trusting that all things are possible with God.
God bless you all.