Matthew 19:16-30 - "What Faith Can Do"

I love this quote about prayer by Corrie Ten Boom.  When circumstances seem hopeless, prayer gives hope.  I don't always like what the Lord has me pray for, especially in the middle of the night.  Monday night I was awaken at 2:52 a.m. with the urgent plea, "Pray for a domestic dispute."  I asked the Lord who and He didn't answer.  I may never know who I was praying for but I know I prayed for all involved to be safe.  

Sometimes I wonder why He chooses me to pray for others, especially for people I don't even know.  But I don't question His thinking and do what I'm asked.  Maybe it's because I have faith in Him to answer my prayers.  Or perhaps it's because I do believe that He can turn the impossible into possible.

I am reminded of scripture in the nineteenth book of Matthew where Jesus is telling the disciples what it takes to receive eternal life.  An impossible situation can only be possible through the Lord's eyes.  He was telling them that in the world's eyes it may look impossible but if they follow Him it is possible.  

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”  17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”  18 “Which ones?” he inquired.  Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”  20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”  21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.  23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”  26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”  28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

How many times have I came upon an impossible situation and given up?  How many times have I looked to the Lord?  In the past, it was easy to listen to the world and give up on God.  Praise His Holy Name my faith has grown to where I truly believe nothing is impossible with Him!  That doesn't mean He answers all my prayers with a "yes" just to make them possible. Sometimes He answers with a "no" or "wait."  Even other times He answers with silence.  It is during those times that my faith grows even more.  

I love the song by Kutless, "What Faith Can Do"…woo hoo!  

I especially like the part that goes:

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try

I have taken the word impossible out of my vocabulary and replaced it with my faith in the Lord.  He is the One who knows what's best.  He is the One who knows what path I should take and what one to dismiss.  I praise Him for giving me the faith to be His servant.  It isn't always easy to have faith in something you can't see.  In fact, it is scary at times.  The song continues...

Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being the One I look to no matter what the circumstance.  Thank You for giving me the knowledge to know You are the One to turn impossible into possible.  Woo hoo!  Father, I praise Your Holy Name for waking me in the middle of the night to pray for people.  I praise Your Holy Name for giving me opportunities to pray with people at the hospital.  Lord, please continue to open doors that need opened and shut ones that need shut in order for me to be Your effective servant.  Thank You Jesus for being My Faith Builder!  Amen.