Matthew 19:26
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 “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”…
Verse 26. - But Jesus beheld them (looking upon them). He turned on his disciples a look full of earnestness, sympathy, and love, soothing their fears and claiming their full attention for a spiritual truth. With men this is impossible. Men in their own strength, relying on their own natural powers, cannot save their souls or rise superior to the snare of riches. From the entanglements occasioned by wealth, and the lowering effects of its pursuit and enjoyment, the natural man is wholly unable to extricate himself. With God all things are possible. Here is the only solution of the difficulty. With the grace of God, and embracing the calls of his providence, the rich man may be delivered from his dangers, may keep a heart unspotted, may use his wealth to God's glory and his own eternal good. So the impossibility is a conditional one, to be overcome by due recourse to the help of God and the strong hope of the future life. How a rich man may be disciplined and elevated we see in the case of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8). Many such instances have occurred in our own days, as in all Christian times.
Job 8:1 – 22
Sometimes when we see the suffering of others it is tempting to come up with glib explanations. In the advice of Job’s friend, Bildad, we see an extraordinary mixture of truth, half-truth and falsehood (8:1–22).
When Job replies, he says, ‘Indeed, I know that this is true. But…’ (9:2). In other words, he points out that some of what Bildad said was true, but not all. He rejects his glib explanation of why he is suffering.
Job’s words are far more authentic. They come from the heart. He cries out to God, ‘I could only plead with my Judge for mercy’ (v.15). He wishes he had never been born (10:18–19). He admits his struggles and doubts, and even his anger, at what is happening to him. He says, ‘I loathe my life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul’ (v.1).
Yet in the midst of all this he recognises that nothing is impossible with God. Job says, ‘God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense... He moves mountains before they know what’s happened, flips them on their heads on a whim... We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does; his miracle-surprises can’t be counted’ (Job 9:4–5,10, MSG). ‘You gave me life itself, and incredible love. You watched and guarded every breath I took’ (10:12, MSG).
There is an extraordinary mixture here of honest struggles and faith. Job does not try and pretend that everything is all right, or that he can explain it, yet through it all he clings to what he knows of God.
God was able to do in Job’s life what was impossible by human effort. God restored Job’s fortunes and ‘blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first’ (42:12).
Whatever struggles you are facing at the moment, however difficult life looks, however impossible the situation seems, it is important to remember his love for you and trust that ‘with God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).
Lord, thank you for the example of Job – his faithfulness and trust in you even during the struggles of life. My life is in your hands and at your disposal. Thank you for your amazing love. Thank you that with you nothing is impossible.
Cross References
Genesis 18:14
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
1 Samuel 14:6
Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few."
Job 42:2
"I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Jeremiah 32:17
'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,
Jeremiah 32:27
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
Zechariah 8:6
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?' declares the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 19:25
When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Matthew 19:27
"Look," Peter replied, "we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?"
Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God."