At times, life can seem overwhelming. On the positive side, you may feel overwhelmed because you are being asked to do a task that you are not sure if you are able to do. You are excited about the challenge and terrified at the same time. Others may believe in you, but you are not sure if you believe in yourself. Where do you turn for help?
On the negative side, it may be that you are feeling overwhelmed because of financial pressure, relationship issues, or health challenges. A difficult situation may have you wondering what to do. You don’t know if you have the wisdom, strength or ability to face the challenges ahead of you. What do you do when the circumstance seems impossible? Remember this:
Luke 1:37
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Not a thing. Nothing is impossible with God.
When the situations of life seem too difficult to bear, don’t lose hope… because nothing is impossible with God. Zechariah and Elizabeth were well advanced in years but they had no children. It was not because they did not want any children. They were physically unable to have children. Holding their baby, raising their child, and leaving a legacy of faith in God to their own children was not something they would ever experience. Or so they thought. In their culture, not having children was looked upon as God’s judgment on them for some undisclosed sin. Yet it was not their sin that had caused this. It was simply God’s plan.
Zechariah and Elizabeth knew the story of Abraham and Sarah in the Bible. They knew that God had caused Sarah to become pregnant when she was almost 90 years old! They knew that God was a God who could do the impossible, but they were not thinking God would do something humanly impossible in their lives. They were not thinking that God would ever give them the gift of a child. Despite this difficult situation, they remained faithful to the Lord, worshiping and serving Him faithfully. Their lives were dedicated to obeying Him in thought, word and deed.
And then something amazing happened. When Zechariah was performing his priestly duties at the temple, God spoke to him through an angel and promised him that his wife would become pregnant. And that is exactly what happened! God opened up her womb, and a baby boy was conceived, a boy to be named John, a boy to be born with a divine purpose and plan. Nothing is impossible with God.
When the situations of life seem impossible to believe, trust in God… because nothing is impossible with God. When Elizabeth was about six months pregnant, God sent the same angel to her relative Mary, a teenage girl who was engaged to be married. Through the angel, God told Mary that she was to become pregnant and that she would give birth to the Son of God. You talk about a situation impossible to believe!
Mary could not figure out how this was going to happen. She knew that she had never been intimate with a man. Through the angel, God assured her that the Holy Spirit would miraculously place the child in her womb. Mary felt overwhelmed, inadequate to fulfill this task. God comforted her. As evidence of God’s ability to do this miracle and as a way for Mary to be encouraged about the task ahead, the angel told Mary about her relative Elizabeth being pregnant in her old age. Mary declared that she would be the Lord’s servant, and would serve Him any way that He asked her to serve.
Mary decided to take a road trip. She journeyed to Elizabeth’s house to visit with her. When Mary arrived and Elizabeth heard her greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped with joy and Elizabeth spoke amazing words:
Luke 1:42-45
42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”
Mary was overwhelmed and encouraged at the same time. Through Elizabeth, God confirmed to Mary that His Word was true and that she would be used to accomplish His will. Mary and Elizabeth no doubt prayed for each other and reminded each other that nothing is impossible with God.
When the situations of life confirm the Lord’s will, give praise to God… for nothing is impossible with God. After God confirmed His will to Mary, what did she do? She could have become prideful or boastful toward others. She may have been tempted to do nothing and tell no one of God’s goodness to her. But she did not. She took the opportunity to give praise to God:
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy,
55 just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
You can give praise to God in many ways. Praise Him through your personal time of prayer and thanksgiving to Him. Tell Him how grateful you are for Him and for His working in and through your life.
Some people give praise to God be writing a poem or song about Him and sharing it with others. Others praise Him by drawing pictures or playing an instrument. Others give praise to Him by what they post on their social media. Still others tell people in private conversations or in public meetings about God’s goodness.
If you look for opportunities to give praise to God, you will realize they are everywhere. Take the opportunity to give praise to God. It will encourage others to see how amazing He is and to see that nothing is impossible with God.