Monday, May 5, 2008

Unlimited God


A few days ago, I was reading in Numbers 11 about when the Israelites began complaining about only having manna to eat. God told Moses that he would send them meat enough for a whole month to eat until it came out their noses and became loathsome to them! Then Moses ask God this question and heard this reply from God:

But Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, 'I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.' "Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?" The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not" (Num. 11.21-23)

Even Moses had unbelief at times. It reminds me also of Jesus and His disciples when He fed the multitudes. God's answer is amazing. "Is the Lord's power limited" or literally it reads "Is the Lord's hand short?" He has unlimited power to do anything beyond what we can ask or think. Moses had seen the great Exodus and God's power through it, yet for a moment he doubted.

We too have seen the mighty work of God if we are a believer in the raising of our dead self to life - as much of a miracle as Jesus raising Lazarus. We really have no reason to ever doubt God. We should also be encouraged that since there is nothing too large for God to do, we can ask Him to do those things which we can't see how they will happen. This is especially true for those things which he tells us to do in His Word. If God makes us a promise in His Word, He has the unlimited power to keep it. We must remember, however, that God sometimes has a different purpose outside of our plans. The three Hebrew children when threatened to be thrown into the fiery furnace unless they bowed to the image of the king, professed,

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3.17-18)

They knew God had the power to save them from the furnace. They knew that God might not choose to save them. But these two thoughts did not deter them from doing what was right. Even if things don't go our way, let us still hold firm to our faith that God's power is not limited and He will do His holy purpose. Let us not yield to unbelief. We will trust Him and believe that He does all things for the good of His children. For that reason, "let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb. 10.23).

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Great thoughts there, Barry. Thanks for sharing them.

It appears from this blog site that you've been on quite an exciting journey with the Lord over the years since we last spoke. I'd enjoy hearing more and catching up on all that has gone on.

While I don't know how similar our journeys have been, I see plenty of evidence that the Lord has brought us to very similar places theologically.

I hope all is well in the Sewell household.

Feel free to send me an e-mail.

David Wellham
(wellhams@gmail.com)