“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
(Luke 1:37)
Many years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with a message from the Lord that defied all human reason and biological expectation. On hearing that she would bear a son while still a virgin, Mary asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Gabriel replied, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.” And then he declared the foundation of all possibility: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
This truth stands at the center of all redemptive history. From the very beginning of creation, when nothing existed but God, He brought forth all things by the word of His power. From nothing came everything—by His will and by His command. The fact that anything exists at all is a continual witness to His almighty power.
And not only did He create the universe, He also sustains it moment by moment. Colossians 1:17 tells us that Christ is before all things, and by Him all things consist. He holds all things together, ordering and upholding His creation with unceasing care and strength.
Even the miracle of human life testifies to this divine omnipotence. That an embryo the size of a pea should contain a beating heart just weeks after conception is a marvel of divine engineering. What seems impossible to man is an everyday reality under God’s sovereign hand. He is the one who brings forth life and orchestrates the growth of every living soul, moment by moment, cell by cell, heartbeat by heartbeat.
The Scriptures testify in many places to this truth. When the Lord appeared to Abraham and Sarah and promised them a child in their old age, He asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). Jeremiah echoed this truth: “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power… and there is nothing too hard for thee” (Jeremiah 32:17). And our Lord Jesus reiterated it when speaking of salvation, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
For of all the great demonstrations of His power, none is more glorious than the redemption of sinners. Romans 3 outlines the seeming impossibility of man’s condition: there is none righteous, none who seeks after God. But what man cannot do, God has done through Jesus Christ. The Almighty provided a Savior who, by His blood, has reconciled enemies of God and made them sons. “Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5). God has done the impossible; He has made the dead live, the wicked clean, the condemned justified.
The apostle Paul concludes in Ephesians 3:20 that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” What grace it is to know that our God is not only willing but able to do more than we could ever hope. He takes those once dead in trespasses and sins and makes them living testimonies of His power and grace. He impresses His own sovereign image upon them, stamps them with His Spirit, and conforms them to the image of His Son.
Let us therefore adore our God who does the impossible. “God steps in and does the impossible. He delights in doing the impossible.”[1] He is the God of all power, all wisdom, all grace. Nothing is too hard for Him. All His promises are sure. All His purposes shall stand. He reigns omnipotent over every realm, and His name is worthy of all praise.
Contemplation:
- The Power to Create and Sustain. I often forget that my very breath is held by the God who spoke galaxies into existence. Everything I see and know exists because He willed it, and He keeps it by His hand. My body, this earth, the stars above are all products of divine power and purpose. Help me remember, Lord, that You made all things and You hold all things together, including my life.
- The Miracle of New Life. I marvel at the way You bring life where there was none. Every heartbeat, every breath, every moment of my existence is testimony to Your power. But even more, Lord, You have taken my spiritually dead soul and given me life in Christ. What seemed impossible is now my reality because You chose to do it.
- Trusting God with the Impossible. There are times when I’m burdened with trials that seem insurmountable. But what is too great for me is not too great for You. Your Word tells me that nothing is impossible with You. Help me to believe that… and not just in theory, but in the practice of faith. Teach me to come to You with boldness, knowing You are able to do more than I can ask or think.
- Your Sovereignty and Righteousness. Even though You are omnipotent, You never act outside Your nature, Father. You cannot lie or sin or change. You are always consistent, always holy. This gives me confidence that when You act, You do so in righteousness. Your power is always directed by Your perfect will. Help me adore You not just for what You can do, but for who You are.
Prayer (Adoration):
O Lord Almighty, God of all power and dominion, we adore You for the greatness of Your might and the majesty of Your will. You alone are the One for whom nothing is too hard. From eternity You have declared the end from the beginning, and You work all things according to the counsel of Your own will. Heaven and earth bow before You, for You are the Maker and Sustainer of all. By the breath of Your mouth the heavens were formed; by the strength of Your hand the foundations of the earth are held fast.
You are the God who spoke and it was done, who commanded and it stood firm. Creation itself is but a canvas of Your power. Sun, moon, stars, wind, sea, beast, and man all bear the imprint of Your omnipotent hand. What is too great for You? Nothing. What is beyond Your reach? Nothing. You stretch forth Your arm, and who can turn it back?
And yet, O Lord, Your power is not cold or distant. It is filled with purpose and grace. In Your omnipotence, You chose to redeem a people for Yourself. You sent Your Son into the world, born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit—God of God and Light of Light—who took on flesh to dwell among us. Who else but You could accomplish such a thing? And when Christ died for sinners and rose again in triumph, You displayed before angels and men that there is no power like Yours. You destroy death, You conquer sin, You shatter darkness. The tomb is empty because You would not let Your Holy One see corruption. We praise You, O God!
You do the impossible still. You give old sinful natures new hearts. You call the dead to life. You turn rebels into children, slaves into heirs, enemies into worshippers… all by the working of Your mighty hand. And I praise you Lord, that what You do cannot be undone, for You are sovereign and omnipotent. We rest in that truth. We adore You for that truth.
And because You are unchanging, we know Your power is not diminished. What You have done before, You are able to do again. In every trial, in every storm, in every situation, You are God. Teach us to trust in You. Make us marvel not only at Your works but at You. Let our hearts rise in praise to Your name, for You are worthy. Let our mouths declare Your greatness, for You have no equal. Let our lives reflect Your glory, for You have called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light.
We worship You, the God who does the impossible, and we give You all the honor, all the dominion, all the praise forever and ever.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Luke 1:37:
Matt. 19:26; Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:17; Luke 18:27; Num. 11:23.
[1] Tom Lutz, “Pastor’s Perspective: Depravity’s Divine Cure,” Tabletalk Magazine, April 1996: Total Depravity (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 1996), 55.
