Nothing Is Impossible (For God)

Nothing is impossible for God.  As the Almighty God over all He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we ask or think.  Whilst a lack of faith in God can limit Him (Psalm 78:41; Matthew 13:58), God is gracious to do miraculous things we never asked for or expected.  When God says something, we know He will follow through.  How blessed we are to be those who believe and say like Mary, "Let it be to me according to your word."

In the Gospel of Luke there are two times the scripture affirms through God all things are possible, and nothing is impossible for Him.  The context of these statements is most compelling.  The first is when Mary was met by Gabriel and was informed she would conceive and bear a son who would be called Jesus, the Son of the Highest, who would have an eternal kingdom.  She said, "How can this be, since I have never been with a man?"  Conception was not even conceivable because she was a virgin.  Luke 1:35-37 provides Gabriel's response:  "And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible."

Mary was told she would conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The impossible pregnancy of Elizabeth provided an encouragement for Mary's faith, for she who had been called "barren" was now with child in her old age.  It is in this context he concluded, "For with God nothing will be impossible."  There are many women called barren in scripture God made most fruitful.  All who have struggled to conceive should take great comfort in this.  With the knowledge God has called some people to celibacy, like Jesus Christ, we can have a fulfilling life (single or married) with or without descendants.  When God says He will do something, He will do it in His time - even if it really is impossible for us.  We can take heart in God's ability to do what our best efforts cannot.

After the rich young ruler came to ask Jesus what he needed to do to enter heaven, Jesus had a discussion with His disciples.  They were shocked when He said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.  Men cannot serve God and money, and the love of money keeps many from obedience and allegiance to God.  It is clearly impossible for a camel to pass through a needle, so the disciples rightly mused:  "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus replied in Luke 18:27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  It is impossible for any man to save himself, but through Jesus even rich men can be born again and saved by the Gospel.

If God wants a barren woman in her old age to conceive and bear a son, she can and will.  God caused Mary to conceive the Son of God without having been with a man at all!  God is able to bring new life to souls dead in sins and cause them to live forever.  Our God is one who brings life:  impossible, abundant, eternal life.  Let us continue praying and trusting that nothing is impossible for God.  Jesus has brought life and hope for all who believe, and may it be to us according to His Word!