Jeremiah 32:26-27
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” I am sure at some point in our lives, we have all experienced uncertain circumstances and situations that has left us in a rock bottom place asking questions such as: Where is God? Does God see my struggle and pain? If God is who He says He is, then why am I suffering? Can God rescue me and make things better? Especially in this uncertain season where we are facing a global pandemic that continues to spread and affect countless lives, with no foreseeing light at the end of the tunnel. For many, if not all of us, life as we know it has been put on pause, for some it has been turned upside down. Schools are closed, graduations postponed, surgeries are being rescheduled, employees are being encouraged to work from home and some even laid off, small business are closing, weddings postponed, and funerals limited to the number in attendance. Social distancing and waiting has become the new norm. In this unprecedented time, I was confronted just a few days ago with a question while reading different passages of Scripture. This question left me speechless and in much contemplation. On three different occasions, under three sets of circumstances, God asks a question, "Is there anything too hard for Me?" It’s a profound question the Lord ask. It’s a question that is designed to evoke what one really believes about God, the essence of who He is, and how He is at work in the world. The obvious answer is, “No. Nothing is too hard for you, God.” Any Christian who is a “church goer” and has read the Scriptures would most likely come to this conclusion. However, for one who is hurting under the pain of uncertain and rocky circumstances who can’t possibly see how things can change for the better, the question may be difficult to answer. The first time the question is asked, God has promised a baby to a woman 90 years of age. We read in Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Yes, of course, women that age do not have children, but God had promised a son and, God came through with His word, despite their unbelief and own attempts to make the long awaited promise come true. God remained faithful and blessed Sarah and Abraham with a son, Isaac, who became the father of the Jewish people. The second time the question is asked was when God told Jeremiah to go out and buy property, in spite of the fact that the Nation of Israel was about to be overthrown by the Babylonian’s. In the midst of all the difficulty during exile, and the midst of all the things that Jeremiah faced, a word of hope comes to Jeremiah: "Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah saying, Behold, I am the Lord the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me" (Jeremiah 32:26-27)? Ultimately, the Lord reveals to Jeremiah and the Nation of Israel that nothing is too hard or big for Him, by rescuing and restoring them back to their homeland to live in peace and safety once again. The third occasion you will find the question is in the prophetic Book of Zechariah. In the midst of a dark time, where God’s people were scattered east and west, God promised to gather His people and bring them back to Jerusalem, where “they would be His people and He would be their faithful and righteous God” (Zach. 8:8). Zachariah 8:6 tells us, “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “If this is impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be impossible in My eyes?” declares the LORD of Hosts.” Each circumstance, as seen above, are different and have their own challenges and obstacles. However, one common theme we see threaded throughout each story is God revealing to His people that there is nothing too hard or big for Him to handle! And so, in this uncertain time of a global pandemic, along with our own personal circumstances and struggles, we are faced with this same question that God spoke to Abraham, Sarah, Jeremiah and Zachariah: “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” What mountains are in your life right now? It may be an illness that keeps you up tossing and turning in bed each night? A marriage that seems to be stagnant and on the rocks? Financial struggles that is causing you to be stressed? A certain job decision that will bring change? An addiction that keeps you chained? Making an important decision that is unclear? A child that is going down the wrong path? A global pandemic that continues to spread and affect hundreds of people a day? Brothers and sisters, here is the good news, if God can make a way for Jeremiah in a prison, the three Hebrew boys in a fiery furnace, Daniel in a lion’s den, a shepherd boy in the face of a giant, Moses in the grip of Pharaoh and his army, Esther in confronting a King, Noah in the face of a flood, Abraham and Sarah in the face of waiting, Jonah in the belly of a whale, Paul in chains, and Jesus in a dark tomb, don't you think He can make a way for you and me? It is because of the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ, that there is no promise too hard for God to keep, there is no prayer too hard for God to answer, and there is no problem too hard for God to solve. Always remember that, whatever you are facing today or will face in the future: God is with you, He is for you, and there is nothing too difficult for Him to handle and work for your good! Pastor Nick Song: The following song is timely in this uncertain season that we are in. I pray that it gives you hope and strength in the God who makes a way out of no way! Way Maker, by: Leeland Click the link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJCV_2H9xD0
1 Comment
Leave a Reply. |
Categories |