Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Impossible Odds

In Isaiah 36-37 we find the story of an arrogant pagan king from Assyria making threats against Israel. He intimidated the Israelites repeatedly telling them not to believe their King Hezekiah for he could not save them. The king of Assyria offered safety for surrender but destruction if they resisted. The Assyrian army was mighty and feared all over the world.

When word got to Hezekiah he did some very strategic things. He first tore his clothes in a sign of distress and grief. Next, he went to house of God. While there he called for Isaiah the prophet to come give the word of the Lord. Hezekiah needed God's counsel. Finally, he prayed.

The great King Hezekiah faced impossible odds. At the time Assyria mowed down nations at will. The situate looked hopeless. So the king of Israel turned to One greater than Himself. He turned to God for counsel through the prophet and for help.

I had not read this story in a long while. The ending surprised me. God did something miraculous. He sent an angel into the camp killing 180,000 Assyrians. The Israelites did not even have to put on their armor and go to the battlefield. God heard the prayers. God intervened in a way Hezekiah could never have predicted. The king of Assyria retreated and tried to find solace in his god in a pagan temple back home. While in that temple the king of Assyria's sons murdered him.

One day and arrogant pagan king made threats and acted indestructible. In a short while not only did his army get defeated but he also murdered by his own sons. Impossible odds mean nothing to God.
There are no impossible odds with God. Not in military battles. No in financial matters. Not in health concerns. Not in anything.

I don't know what impossible odds you are facing today. I am sure there are many. I understand. I cannot ever think of a time when Brenda and I faced more impossible situations all at the same time. So what are we all to do? We can give in to anxiety and despair. Many do. We can drown our realities in alcohol or drugs.

Or, we can do what Hezekiah did. We can turn to God. We can turn to the LORD Most High. We can seek His counsel and ask for His divine intervention. We can trust Him.

I don't care how impossible your situation looks. With the snap of His fingers, with a spoken word of declaration, with the intention of His will and with the slightest of ease He has the power to overcome your impossible odds. He can move your mountain. Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) 
22  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
23  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them,and you will have them.

He can give peace in the storm. Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV) 
35  On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."
36  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is itthat you have no faith?"
41  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" 

Nothing is impossible with Him. Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) 
26  But Jesus looked at themand said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Take heart. Your situation is not hopeless. Your odds are not impossible. Your mountains are not immovable. Cast them all upon the One who can do anything. 

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