Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).
There are countless scenes in the course of Jesus's life on earth where he encountered situations that appeared impossible and quite hopeless yet he turned them around. For example, when the centurion came up to Jesus and reported a man under his command who was sick and pleaded for healing in a moment, it would seem impossible given the distance. "Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at the moment" (Mathew 8: 13).
And then there was a woman who had been "subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped" (Luke 8:44).
When it was reported to Jesus that his friend Lazurus lay sick, his answer was, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it was for God's glory that God's son maybe be glorified through it" (John 11:4). Later when Jesus got to Bethany and found Lazurus dead and had been in tomb for four days, he said to Lazurus's disappointed sister Martha, "I am the resurrection and life. The one who believes in me will live.." (vv 25). He then approached the tomb and called in a loud voice, "Lazurus come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face" (vv 44).
There are many other seemingly impossible situations Jesus encountered, including calming a terrible storm at sea (Luke 8:22). So, what situation is troubling you now? Does it appear impossible! There is an old saying, take it to Jesus, and what seemed impossible with man, is possible with God!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I bring to you this matter which like the case of the bleeding woman appears impossible but I know you can turn any situation around, and so I pray for your power to make a way out of nowhere, in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
