IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?
It had been quite an adventure and God had blessed Abraham in many ways. But the big one hadn’t happened. The promise remained unfulfilled; the reason for his name change from Abram, ‘exalted father,’ to Abraham, ‘father of a multitude.’ Being an exalted father is all about you, but a father of a multitude is all about legacy and what you release into the world.
Yet Abraham had believed God and Paul tells us that ‘he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith’ (Romans 4:20). But still they waited, and grew older, very much older! The promise had reached the point where it couldn’t be fulfilled by natural human means. It was as if God said, “I am still going to give you a child through Sarah, but it’s now reached the point where it is so beyond your ability that it can only happen by My doing.”
So, God visits Abraham and Sarah’s tent in the form of three men. The elderly couple put themselves out to provide the best of hospitality. In the conversation that follows, the long-awaited promise is given its final countdown - one year from now. Abraham is reminded, he still believes, his heart stirs afresh. Sarah laughs! It’s incredulous! Maybe her laughter is from embarrassment, or she thinks it’s too ridiculous. Human reasoning and their experience would loudly declare that this is impossible. So, the question comes to this aged pair, but is mainly directed to the ears of Sarah: ‘Is anything too hard for the LORD?’
It is a question to challenge our unbelief and at the same time to extend to us an invitation into greater faith. It is a question that confronts our understanding and definition of what is possible. It is a question that assaults our settings of what is attainable.
Is anything too hard for the LORD?
‘Anything’ can also have the meaning of any word or speech. The word for ‘hard’ means beyond one’s power to do, difficult to understand, or wonderful and extraordinary. Sarah conceiving and giving birth to a son would be all of these. But if God is who He says He is then what could be beyond His power? Psalm 33:9 says, “He spoke, and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast” (NASB). Therefore, anything that God speaks is possible!
What has God said to you? What do you believe He has promised? What are you facing that seems humanly impossible to solve? Let this question give you hope. Let it stir up faith. Let it confront your definitions of what could be. Let it move the limitations formed by previous experience. Don’t let your past experience determine the possibilities of today and tomorrow.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? For the One who is risen and has overcome death, and who is seated far above every name, power, dominion, and authority? Whatever He has said, whatever He has promised – do you believe He is able to do this?