April 17- The Impossible is Possible

April 17, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Joshua 15; Luke 18:18-43;
Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10

The world is full of zanies and fools,

who don't believe in sensible rules,

and who won't believe what sensible people say,

and because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes

keep building up impossible hopes,

Impossible...things are happening every day.

It's possible.

~Cinderella

Joshua 15

In the fairy tale Cinderella, Cinderella manages to go to the royal ball because her fairy godmother does the impossible.  She turns a plain yellow pumpkin into a golden carriage, turns four white mice into four white horses, and arranges for a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a fairy godmother at your disposal every now and then?  How about turning my messy kitchen into a relaxing Asian spa? How about transforming my disorganized tendencies into container-store quality organization, overnight?

Today the nation of Israel witnesses what seemed like an impossible task to their elders who wandered in the wilderness.  This new generation of  fighting, faithful people possess their promised portions of the land.  We are getting off easy in our reading.  There is not much of importance to review.  But to the Israelites of that day the accounting of their victory and possession of the land would represent God taking the impossible and making it possible.

What do you need for God to help you achieve?  Can your faith bring about an impossible transformation?  How and what needs to be transformed in your life?

Luke 18:18-43

Today Jesus explains to his disciples that what may seem impossible with man is possible with God. This conversation happens after a very wealthy religious leader questions Jesus about how to get eternal life?  The man has a misperception about the concept of being good.  Realizing this, Jesus confronts him when he calls Jesus "good teacher."  Jesus promptly replies that only God is good.  Jesus is saying that he is God.

After this, Jesus reviews some of the Ten Commandments.  He mentions the commandments that deal with man's relationship to man, not man's relationship to God. The man replies that he has never broken the ones mentioned.  Rather than blasting him, Jesus adds one more requirement... sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor.  Jesus knows that this man has an idol and that idol is money. He invites the man to follow him after he has obeyed the commandment to have no idols.  The man leaves knowing that he has no intention of giving up his possessions.  Jesus remarks to his disciples that it is as hard for a rich person to get into heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. 

At this the disciples are perplexed.  They know that the standard that Jesus asked of the man was too high, too hard to live by consistently.  Jesus explains that indeed with man it would be impossible, but with God all things are possible.  It is God who is able to regenerate the heart of this man.  Riches were this man's stumbling block to God. For someone else it might be some other sin that causes them to stumble and break the Law of putting God first in life.  Regardless, only Jesus' death and resurrection provide the bridge to connectedness with God.

As we see Jesus heal the blind beggar in the next section of our reading, his miracles confirm a spiritual truth: Jesus Christ opens our spiritual eyes.  I was blind, but now I see.  Has Jesus opened your eyes to the truth of God?  Has God done the impossible in your life?  Heaven is impossible to achieve outside of belief in Christ.  Has the impossible become possible for you?

Psalm 86:1-17

"Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you.  With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.  I will give glory to your name, forever."

This is the cry of someone who was blind and now they see.

Proverbs 13:9-10

The life of the godly is full of light.  This is like being able to see. : )

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011