What is impossible for people is possible with God, because as Ruler of the universe His power is unlimited and no obstacle can make His work impossible. Faith therefore does not speak of impossibilities but trusts what God can do rather than human ability or plans, and He works in keeping with the faith, humility, devotion and prayer of workers who humbly advance His cause throughout the world even amid opposition and discouragement. This holds for proclaiming His law and Sabbath and carrying the message of truth to cities and every nation, even when its scope seems beyond human ability, so limited faith must not restrict plans but move forward confidently that He can empower the message. He can and will use willing workers who have not received thorough schooling in human schools, and to doubt this is unbelief that limits His omnipotence. Victory over evil temper, rebellious nature, Satan and sinful tendencies is possible through Christ's assisting grace and strength when the heart is surrendered to Him, and without Him there is no hope of overcoming.
Meaning and Biblical Setting
What is impossible for people is possible with God, because as Ruler of the universe His power is unlimited and no obstacle can make His work impossible. Nothing is beyond Him, and faith therefore does not speak of impossibilities but trusts what He can do rather than human ability. To doubt that He can act is unbelief that limits His omnipotence.
The declaration belongs to the angel's announcement to Mary in Nazareth, which showed her that Jesus was the Messiah, and she treasured the announcement and the evidence of His identity. It exposes the unbelief of Zacharias when he doubted that he and Elizabeth could have a child in their old age, forgetting that Abraham and Sarah had a son in fulfillment of God's promise. It likewise rebukes the doubt of Moses about providing meat for Israel, when he forgot the miracles by which God divided the Red Sea, provided bread from heaven, and brought water from rock.
The same truth is illustrated when God commands the writing of what He gives in the night season and gives ability to write. The one commanded could not learn to write at twelve years old and never entered the schoolroom again, and her right hand was feeble, trembling, nervously weak and unsteady, disabled by infirmity and childhood injury. Yet at the first attempt in obedience the hand becomes steady, firm, untiring and able to write and keep a diary. All the glory for the power thus exercised belongs to the Lord God of Israel.
Power for Worldwide Mission
Faith does not talk about impossibilities but trusts what God is able to do rather than measuring by human ability or human plans. No obstacle makes His work impossible, and no work is impossible for Him, for nothing lies beyond His power. God works in keeping with the faith, humility, devotion and prayer of His workers as they humbly and devotedly carry the message of truth throughout the world. Opposition and discouragement do not prevent success when they walk humbly and prayerfully and go forward in faith, trusting that Christ will not fail nor be discouraged in His work.
This holds for taking truth to cities and nations and for the worldwide proclamation of the Sabbath and of God's law. Even when the scope of that work seems beyond human ability, apparent obstacles do not make the task impossible when God works with His power. Limited faith and talk of impossibilities should therefore not restrict plans, but believers should move forward confidently that God can empower the message to reach every nation.
God can and will use willing workers who have not received formal, thorough schooling in the schools of men, for His power is unlimited. To doubt that He can use such workers is unbelief that limits His omnipotence and limits the power of the One for whom nothing lies beyond reach. Distrustful caution toward them can prevent the Holy Spirit from using them and keep potential laborers idle. It can also leave the resources of the church unused and discourage from serving those who could become effective fellow workers with God.
Power for Personal Victory
Victory over evil temper and human depravity is possible through God's assisting grace, and this victory must be gained through Christ, for without Him there is no hope of overcoming. Nothing is beyond God's power, and Christ can help those who receive Him to resist Satan, overcome difficulty, and build characters free from sinful tendencies. When the heart is surrendered to Christ and those who receive Him commit themselves to Him, He can subdue even a rebellious nature and calm a stormy temper, so they can rely on His strength rather than despair.
With God nothing is impossible for those who take Him at His word without doubting and work with Him. When people believe on Christ, humble themselves, feel their great need, crucify self, and empty their hearts of contention, division, criticism, selfishness, and self-exaltation, God works with them and for them. By His sweet Spirit He melts and subdues hearts, purges the desire to criticize, gives a new heart and new thoughts, and redeems and beautifies His temple. He places the humble on vantage ground, unites believers in one mind and love, and brings many to hear the Word and be converted.
What is impossible for people is possible with God, because as Ruler of the universe His power is unlimited and no obstacle can make His work impossible. Faith therefore does not speak of impossibilities but trusts what God can do rather than human ability or plans, and He works in keeping with the faith, humility, devotion and prayer of workers who humbly advance His cause throughout the world even amid opposition and discouragement. This holds for proclaiming His law and Sabbath and carrying the message of truth to cities and every nation, even when its scope seems beyond human ability, so limited faith must not restrict plans but move forward confidently that He can empower the message. He can and will use willing workers who have not received thorough schooling in human schools, and to doubt this is unbelief that limits His omnipotence. Victory over evil temper, rebellious nature, Satan and sinful tendencies is possible through Christ's assisting grace and strength when the heart is surrendered to Him, and without Him there is no hope of overcoming.
Meaning and Biblical Setting
What is impossible for people is possible with God, because as Ruler of the universe His power is unlimited and no obstacle can make His work impossible. Nothing is beyond Him, and faith therefore does not speak of impossibilities but trusts what He can do rather than human ability. To doubt that He can act is unbelief that limits His omnipotence.
The declaration belongs to the angel's announcement to Mary in Nazareth, which showed her that Jesus was the Messiah, and she treasured the announcement and the evidence of His identity. It exposes the unbelief of Zacharias when he doubted that he and Elizabeth could have a child in their old age, forgetting that Abraham and Sarah had a son in fulfillment of God's promise. It likewise rebukes the doubt of Moses about providing meat for Israel, when he forgot the miracles by which God divided the Red Sea, provided bread from heaven, and brought water from rock.
The same truth is illustrated when God commands the writing of what He gives in the night season and gives ability to write. The one commanded could not learn to write at twelve years old and never entered the schoolroom again, and her right hand was feeble, trembling, nervously weak and unsteady, disabled by infirmity and childhood injury. Yet at the first attempt in obedience the hand becomes steady, firm, untiring and able to write and keep a diary. All the glory for the power thus exercised belongs to the Lord God of Israel.
Power for Worldwide Mission
Faith does not talk about impossibilities but trusts what God is able to do rather than measuring by human ability or human plans. No obstacle makes His work impossible, and no work is impossible for Him, for nothing lies beyond His power. God works in keeping with the faith, humility, devotion and prayer of His workers as they humbly and devotedly carry the message of truth throughout the world. Opposition and discouragement do not prevent success when they walk humbly and prayerfully and go forward in faith, trusting that Christ will not fail nor be discouraged in His work.
This holds for taking truth to cities and nations and for the worldwide proclamation of the Sabbath and of God's law. Even when the scope of that work seems beyond human ability, apparent obstacles do not make the task impossible when God works with His power. Limited faith and talk of impossibilities should therefore not restrict plans, but believers should move forward confidently that God can empower the message to reach every nation.
God can and will use willing workers who have not received formal, thorough schooling in the schools of men, for His power is unlimited. To doubt that He can use such workers is unbelief that limits His omnipotence and limits the power of the One for whom nothing lies beyond reach. Distrustful caution toward them can prevent the Holy Spirit from using them and keep potential laborers idle. It can also leave the resources of the church unused and discourage from serving those who could become effective fellow workers with God.
Power for Personal Victory
Victory over evil temper and human depravity is possible through God's assisting grace, and this victory must be gained through Christ, for without Him there is no hope of overcoming. Nothing is beyond God's power, and Christ can help those who receive Him to resist Satan, overcome difficulty, and build characters free from sinful tendencies. When the heart is surrendered to Christ and those who receive Him commit themselves to Him, He can subdue even a rebellious nature and calm a stormy temper, so they can rely on His strength rather than despair.
With God nothing is impossible for those who take Him at His word without doubting and work with Him. When people believe on Christ, humble themselves, feel their great need, crucify self, and empty their hearts of contention, division, criticism, selfishness, and self-exaltation, God works with them and for them. By His sweet Spirit He melts and subdues hearts, purges the desire to criticize, gives a new heart and new thoughts, and redeems and beautifies His temple. He places the humble on vantage ground, unites believers in one mind and love, and brings many to hear the Word and be converted.