The Apostle Paul experienced more calamity and disaster in his life than we can begin to imagine. He was shipwrecked three times, once having to spend
a day and a half in the sea. He was beaten three times. He faced danger not only in the city, but also in the country. He was attacked by robbers,
went without food and water, and suffered from exposure.
But none of these disasters was able to persuade Paul that God would not deliver him; nor were they able to affect his confidence in God’s unconditional
love for him. No, he was convinced and boldly declared that nothing is able to separate him from God’s unconditional love.
Abram, like Paul, was also fully persuaded of God’s ability to fulfill His promise. At the age of 75, not only was Abram beyond childbearing age, but also
his wife was barren. Despite the impossibility of the situation, Abram believed that God was able and willing to perform a miracle on his behalf.
The Bible records this amazing statement about Abraham: “he hoped against hope.” It says that when he looked directly at his feeble body, its weakness
didn’t cause him to waver in what he believed. Instead, it served to make him stronger in his faith, knowing that only Almighty God could accomplish
such an impossible feat! Then, at the ripe old age of 99, Abraham had a son, experiencing first hand God’s faithfulness to His promise.
How did Abraham look at this impossible situation square in the face and remain unmoved? Romans 4:21 tells us: “And being fully persuaded that, what he
(God) had promised, he was also able to perform” (KJV). Abraham was completely persuaded that God could do what man believed impossible!
Mary was also persuaded in God’s ability to do the impossible. The angel of the Lord told her that she would bear a son even though she had never known
a man. Wondering how this would happen, Mary asked the angel. He answered, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NAS).
The New Testament provides countless reports in which impossible, desperate situations existed. But keep in mind, impossibility doesn’t move God, faith
does! In times of impossibility, disaster, and calamity, we can remain persuaded that God will miraculously protect, rescue, and deliver those who
believe!
Jesus encountered many impossible situations during His ministry. In every situation faith was the key to receiving a miracle. When two blind men asked
Jesus to heal them, instead of praying for them, He asked them a question: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
Then Jesus revealed what moves Him into action when He said, “Be it done to you according to your faith” (Matthew 9:28-29 NAS). It was not
a desperate need, but faith, that moved Him.
At another time, the disciples found themselves unable to help a boy who was vexed by a demon. When they questioned Jesus as to their inability, He characterized
their problem as the littleness of their faith, saying, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to here,’
and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you” (Matthew 17:20 NAS).
When we put our faith in God’s ability to do the impossible, we will not be disappointed or ashamed.
