It's hard for us but God is able

Is anything too hard for God?

Sometimes we can be quick to respond with our words but our thoughts are different.  We think of all the ways in which we have struggled in life and ways that we still do and we know how hard it has been for us.  We know all too well the trials, the difficult decisions, the "needs" that over time begin to reveal themselves as wants and the problems that we don't always know the solutions for.  Are these too hard for God?

I've begun to go through the Bible with my children.  We're starting in Genesis and going along with the pictures and Bible stories that are in our Seek and Find Bible.  As a busy mom, it is helpful for me to have that format already prepared for me.  I show them the picture, read the account and then ask them the three questions at the end.  It works very well for us and I find that I am blessed and encouraged in the process.

As I taught them about Creation, I couldn't help but be in awe of God.  It should never cease to amaze us that he spoke this world into existence by the word of his power.  Men and women have created some pretty amazing things but never just by speaking the word.  Our God is not limited in his power!

For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.  He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.  Psalm 33:4-9

And I asked my children a question that I am almost certain we could all say yes to:

Have you ever thought that something is just too hard for God?  

I might not say it out loud but I admit, I have thought this.  I have thought that situations are just too difficult.  I have come to my own conclusions.  If I couldn't see a way, there must not be a way.  But no, God can make a way.  That is the response of faith.


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God.  For all things are possible with God."  Mark 10:27

So what about when he doesn't seem to make a way for us?  If he is able to do all things and still our trials and difficulties remain, what then?

Could it be that with loving and all-wise intentions he means it for our good and for his glory?

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.  Psalm 33:18-19

Can we see every difficulty like that?  Can we look back and see how our trials have brought us closer to him and helped us learn to depend on his grace?  Can we see how we have grown in our faith and learned to value eternal things more?  At least that would be the desired outcome of our trials.

Whatever obstacles we face God IS ABLE.  He has power to give and power to withhold.  But those who know him understand that he is GOOD.  He is LOVE.  He knows best.

His children should look to him in trust and with confidence.  Not only in his ability to sustain but also to do "above and beyond what we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.  Psalm 33:20-22

Remember, our God who spoke this universe into being is not limited in what he is able to do in our lives and in the lives of others.  Pray and seek his face.  Come boldly before his throne of grace.  Trust him whether he says yes, no or wait.  He loves you and desires to do good to his people.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?...

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.    Romans 8:31-32, 38-39