This is a fascinating part of the Christmas story. Mary had just been informed that she would have a baby and that He would be the Son of God! And Mary asked the right question:
Luke 1:34-37 “Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God”
Many insights leap from this part of scripture. For instance,
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timing is not a problem for God.
Elizabeth was old, her time to have children had passed, but TIMING is not a problem with God.
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How often have you said or thought:
“My time has passed”
“My chance is over”
“My days are numbered”
“I’ve missed the boat”
Or, “I guess good just isn’t going to happen to me.
It’s too late…can’t happen?”
But THIS story reminds us that timing is not a problem with God because: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
You’ll also notice that circumstances are not a problem for God.
Elizabeth was old and barren. Mary was a virgin, and God said, “Not a problem.”
Why? Because NOTHING is impossible with God.
Haven’t we all been convinced that God would be discouraged too, if He only understood the depth of our problem, the complexity of our circumstances?
We look at verses like this in the Bible and think, I’m sure once I explain MY circumstances and the timing of my situation to God, He’ll want to take that verse out of the Bible.
“God, my bills are this high and my money is this low.”
“God, the deadline is tomorrow and once that day comes, my life will be ruined forever.”
“God, he’s drinking again; she’s using again…there’s no way sobriety can happen.”
“God, have you looked at my marriage lately? Shambles!”
And God says, “Dig into the Christmas story a little deeper. Don’t give up hope because:
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
Let me ask you a question: Do you believe that?
Do YOU believe that God is able to work mightily, to work within you, to work around you, to work for you?
Just so we “get it,” God included in the Bible this wonderful verse of assurance and promise and hope:
Ephesians 3:20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Christmas proves it. The miracles prove it. The resurrection proves it. We should never give up hope because NOTHING is impossible with God!
There is POWER in HOPE!
Brad Johnson is the Pastor of California Community Church, Agoura Hills, California. The church currently meets in the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel at Reyes Adobe and Agoura Road. Services are at 9:30 and 11:00.
