Empowered For Impossible Tasks

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Let’s face it. Some tasks God gives us to do seem impossible. We wonder what he was thinking when he called on us. Doesn’t he know there’s no way we can do what he’s asked?

Consider Noah and the job he was given. When God prepared to flood the earth, he said to Noah, “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.” (Genesis 6:19)

Whoa! If anything qualifies as an impossible task, surely this would be it, right? Had I been Noah, I probably would have started spitting out all the reasons I would fail before I could hear the second part of God’s message. The part that stated how his power would be at work.

That’s right, God did not give Noah an impossible task and then leave him to struggle through on his own. No, God enabled and empowered Noah to accomplish his directive. God said, “Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” (v.20-21)

God was prepared to do the impossible part—gathering the animals. Noah simply needed to act as greeter and caretaker once they were there. Rising to that challenge would still require trust in God and good old-fashioned work, though. But Noah did it. With God’s help, he accomplished the impossible task.

Has God given any of us seemingly impossible assignments? Are we lacking the time, the abilities, the resources, or the emotional and spiritual strength to do the things he’s asked us to do?

Whether it’s answering God’s call to a new job or ministry responsibility that’s above our heads or granting forgiveness to someone who has grievously injured us or someone we love, let’s tune our ears to hear how God will enable and empower us to do the impossible.

As with Noah, God will not leave us to struggle through on our own. He will accomplish the impossible part. He will supply all that’s needed and give wisdom to know when the task is completed if we will only act in faith and obedience.

So let’s go forward with God’s help. Let’s do the impossible.

“‘For nothing is impossible with God.’” Luke 1:37

*When has God helped you do the impossible?

*Flickr photo by ecstaticist, Creative Commons License

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