When you face the impossible

Tom Harper April 2, 2020

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The angel Gabriel told two unlikely women they were about to conceive. Elizabeth’s problem was that she was well past child-bearing years; Mary was an unmarried virgin. How could they possibly become pregnant?

The two NIV translations render Gabriel’s words in Luke 1:37 in complementary ways:

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (1984 NIV)

“For no word from God will ever fail.” (2011 NIV)

I like both translations. When God works, he accomplishes the impossible. Equally, when he speaks, his words define and establish what will come to pass.

He delivered on his promise to the women, not just for their own happiness, but for the good of mankind (the two children would be John the Baptist and Jesus.)

This leads to a few questions to ponder:

1. What “impossible” challenge are you facing right now?
2. What is God saying to you about it?
3. What are you saying to him about it?
4. What good could he accomplish in you through this thing?
5. How will your perseverance bring glory to God?

Take some time to think through your answers. As you ponder, ask God to give you wisdom and a clear path forward for whatever issue you’re facing.

Strong servant leaders trust in God’s leading and seek his wisdom.

For more on how to apply biblical principles in your everyday leadership, see Tom’s book Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019).

Photo source: istock 

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Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More »

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