journey onWord with us

Year after year there are moments that stun and sadden us. We wonder if things can get any worse, and then the next tragic event confirms it. Who would ever imagine the leaders of our country would be put at risk while practicing to play in a charity baseball game? Yesterday’s scare reminds us that we are living in dangerous and chaotic times. Without a doubt, each new unsettling tragedy causes us to reflect on how bad things can get. Just as new challenges (tragic events) come every year to our country and world, each new year brings its own set of personal challenges (difficulties) as well. Our Creator is up-to-date on all our world’s challenges for this year, and He is also in tune with the challenges you and I will face.

It is not God’s control that creates an unsettled spirit within us as we face deep personal challenges. It is our shaken confidence in His sovereignty.  As a child, I learned the words of a song that were easy to believe. In growing older, I’ve never forgotten them. When I see or hear them I am reminded that God is not limited by my own challenges. He is in control!

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable;
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
God specializes in things tho’t impossible;
He does things others cannot do.
(Excerpt from Got Any Rivers, Oscar C. Eliason, copyright 1945)

We are all repeatedly confronted with rivers and mountains which seem uncrossable and impenetrable. When we are not firm and steadfast in our view of God’s power, impossibilities look … well, impossible. The old song says that God specializes in things that are “tho’t impossible.” We can believe it, but how often do Christians characterize God doing the impossible as just wishful thinking? Experience has taught me, those who pray earnestly with confident faith see God do “things others cannot do.” You and I will never face a challenge that is bigger than God’s ability.

Just the other day our daughter shared a story with her mother and me that was something I believe was only of God. At the precise moment she needed it, God stepped in. It was one of those “you can’t make this stuff up” types of interventions. He really does do “things other cannot do.”

The prophet Jeremiah affirmed that truth in verse seventeen of chapter thirty-two in the book which bears his name.

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Later in the same chapter we find these words:

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
v. 28

These words are not wishful thinking. They are absolute truth.  We can trust Him with all our challenges! Our problems are not impossible to or for Him, and the Father wants to walk with us through them.

Each new day, new week, new month and new year will bring events that are unsettling in our world. You and I can’t fix them, but we can trust God’s control in the midst of them. Events like yesterday should cause all Christ-followers to pray even more diligently for healing in our country.

Additionally, each year will also bring new challenges personally. I am sure you believe God is in control of our world, but can you also believe in Him in your own river crossings and mountain passes? Our daughter’s special moment was a reminder to me that our challenges are never too hard for Him.

Will you simply choose to believe His control over your seemingly impossible challenges?