All Things Are Possible

I know that You can do all things, and that no plan is impossible for You. Job 42:2 NASB 

People often use the phrase “Believe in yourself” to show support for one another, to remind others that it’s okay to hope for things, and to help each other through times of discouragement. It can mean the world to a person to know that someone is in their corner who sees their potential and wants them to see it too. As believers in Christ, we can appreciate that loving intention, but we also know that our ultimate Source of strength and provision is not ourselves—it’s our God. So, when we do catch a vision for something, we know that the first and greatest thing we can do is bring it to the Lord in prayer. As most of us have learned in some way, simply because we want to do something with all our heart and it makes perfect sense to us to do it, our Maker can see that big picture of our life, and He knows just how it will (or won’t) fit in. 

It’s like one of those direction apps on a smartphone. We can zoom in on the destination and may see it in vivid detail, but God’s broader view tells a much more complete story. He knows it may not be the best thing for us—or perhaps it’s not the right timing—and as hard as it is to switch gears, we will never regret heeding that gentle “No” or “Not now” from the Holy Spirit. However, when He does give us the green light, nothing can stop us from fulfilling His purposes. “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” The question is asked in Genesis 18:14 (NASB). And the answer in our heart can be a resounding No! with those words of Jesus from Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (NIV). We can imagine the writer’s conviction as he penned the hopeful hymn “All Things Are Possible”: 

All things are possible to God, 
To Christ, the power of God in man; 
To me, when I am all renewed, 
When I in Christ am formed again. 

So when we hear that well-meaning bit of “Believe in yourself” encouragement, let’s remember the things we can believe about ourselves: We’ve been adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:5); we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16); the Holy Spirit lives within us (I Corinthians 6:19); God’s angels surround us (Psalm 91:11); the evil one can’t touch us (I John 5:18); and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)… just to name a few! As the hymn reminds us, the truth revealed by Galatians 2:20 changes everything: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (NLT). That self we are today is worth believing in because we know who we are in Him. We know that we live this life for Him and that nothing we accomplish will be done apart from Him. We can believe in our God-created, Spirit-filled selves because He does, and we can trust that anything He calls us to do in this life is possible through Him who gives us all we need to see it through! 

Lord, thank You for every good gift You’ve given us in Christ. Because of Him, I can live confidently in this world, trusting that I have all I need to do anything You call me to do. Every time I look in the mirror, may I be reminded of that truth. I believe in who You created me to be. Amen. 

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine: Old-Time Devotions for Fresh Starts 

Looking for more inspiration? You can find hope & encouragement in God’s Word every day with the new DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible now available on DaySpring.com!