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Faith in the Impossible

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
Luke 8:49–50
Charles Spurgeon told of an elderly lady in his church who was confronted by a skeptic over the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish. When he attempted to scientifically prove to her that it was impossible for such a thing to happen, her faith remained unshaken. Finally she replied, “Not only do I believe that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish just as the Bible says, but if the Bible said Jonah swallowed the fish, I would believe that too!”
There are too many times when we only believe what we can see and understand and explain rather than taking God at His word that He is not limited by the things that are within our grasp. Instead He is able to do everything that He has promised, no matter how far beyond our ability and understanding it may be. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
The Christian who lives as if God is not able to meet his needs is insulting his Heavenly Father. Through God’s grace we have been given the right and privilege to enter His presence and present our needs to Him. Yet too often we do not believe that God will actually do for us what He has promised to do. As a result, we fail to please Him with our lives. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The God we serve is the God of the impossible, and we should claim His power for our daily lives.

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.   --Proverbs 3:5-6 As you think about your paths today… about God’s will for your life… remember that knowing the will of God is not so much a life map as it is a lifestyle. It’s not so much a road map as it is a relationship. What this means is this: The will of God isn’t accomplished in your life by you figuring out a confusing formula or going through some kind of convoluted process. It’s found as you walk with God one day at a time, one step at a time, trusting him in all your ways. That’s when his will will be made apparent in your life! But it’s important to note that when you’re seeking the will of God for your life, you first have to concentrate on your character. Because God is more interested in who you are than in what you do. So today, let me ask you, are there any character issues in your life about which you need to talk to God? Really think about that for a moment. What about the words you speak? The places you visit on the internet? The people you let influence you? What about the decisions you make at work? It’s been said that our character is the sum total of the decisions we make. So if that’s the case, what do your decisions say about your character? Now, I want to dispel the myth that doing God’s will is doing the one thing that will make you the most miserable. That’s not the case at all! God has chosen a good way and a perfect will for your life. And what’s great is that he often uses your talents and interests to accomplish his plan. So don’t be afraid of God’s will. Commit your character to him and look forward with anticipation to what he has in store for you! WHEN YOU’RE SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE, YOU FIRST HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON YOUR CHARACTER.