Living the Impossible

As we have just celebrated Christmas, let us look again at the prophecy of Jesus’ birth. In Isaiah 7:14 we read that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel (NIV). Mary is the teenager who was given this message by the angel Gabriel as recorded in both Matthew and Luke. She was engaged to be married. She had not yet had sexual relations with Joseph. Therefore, to be pregnant was impossible. It just couldn’t happen, but God does not lie.

Do you ever feel like you are in an impossible situation? Do you feel there is no way out, that nothing good will come from what you are dealing with in your life? Do you begin to doubt God’s promises? God said He will never leave us, but do you feel alone? God said to call and He will answer, but do you feel abandoned? God said He would bear our burdens, but do you feel overloaded with your troubles? Let’s remind ourselves of the name Mary’s child would be given — Immanuel, meaning, God with us. God does not lie.

When He tells us that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) that is exactly what He means. He is with us in the midst of every trial. He is with us in the waiting period. Remember, He waits that He may be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18). Remember, too, as Mary knew that, with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).

When you don’t understand, choose as Mary chose, to believe in the impossible. She knew God doesn’t lie. She knew He can do anything. She knew He would make the crooked paths straight (Isaiah 45:2). What did Mary do when told something impossible? She chose to believe. As you and I choose to stand firmly on all God promises, our faith will also grow, and we will be strong with God’s own strength. We will know He will lift us up when we are weak.

What a wonderful Christmas gift that lasts the whole year long — the birth of the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us who makes the impossible true in our lives. It is truth because God does not lie.