God is doing what you cannot do
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My 9-month-old niece, Azoria, is busy, busy, busy these days. She came over the other day and started climbing the stairs. I can’t believe how quickly she got up to the second level. Of course someone was protectively standing behind her so she wouldn’t tumble. But she had no trouble at all using her little hands and knees to make the climb.
Once she reached the top level, she was proud of herself. I could see her deep dimples and two bottom teeth as she beamed. A few moments later, however, her joy over that achievement left. The wide grin was replaced with a perplexed look. Baby Zo’s eyes scanned the stair case as she tried to figure out how to get back down.
That is a skill she has yet to master.
Knowing that Baby Zo couldn’t make it on her own, our eldest son, Kedar, scooped her up in his arms and carried her back downstairs where she contently played. He did for her what she could not do on her own.
Similarly, in our lives, God knows when we have gone as far as we can go and we need His help. He swoops in, just as Kedar did and flexes His power in the very place where our ability to stops. While we’re trying to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B, God rushes to our aid. He won’t let us fall.
Friend, there is a word of revelation for you today: God is going to do for you what you can’t do for yourself.
This is precisely what Jesus did for a woman in a town called Nain in Luke 7:11-16. At the time, Jesus had his disciples and a large crowd walking with Him as he approached the gate of the town. As the Savior prepared to enter, He saw a dead person being carried out.
The writer Luke tells us the deceased was the only son of his mother, who was also a widow. After her son’s burial, she would be all by herself. When Jesus laid eyes on her and the large funeral procession, the Bible says His heart went out to her and He said, “Don’t cry.”
After that, Jesus walked up and touched the bier, the movable frame that the corpse was being carried on. Right then, the bearers stopped in their tracks. Jesus then spoke to the dead person and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”
Just like that, he was resurrected and began to talk. Jesus then gave him back to his mother.
The crowd, the Bible says, was filled with awe and praised God. What Christ did was noised abroad. This was the first of three resurrections He performed in the New Testament. The other two were Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:22-43) and His dear friend Lazarus (John 11:1-44).
Isn’t it amazing to see how Jesus had mercy on this widow and restored what she lost?
Interestingly, Nain, the name of her town, means “green pastures” or “lovely.” But clearly, before Jesus showed up on the scene, this widow’s circumstances were anything but lovely and her life’s pastures were anything but green. Instead of green pastures, which evoke thoughts of things flourishing, growing and prospering, this woman had to deal with death and loss. Her happiness was gone. She was in a dark place. First, she lost her husband. Now, she was preparing to bury her son.
“If, lately, life has made you feel like you’re on a losing streak, God is shifting your season. The shift that’s coming will leave you with no doubt that ONLY GOD turned it around!”
It was a sad, tragic scene and one that moved Jesus with compassion. He intervened and did for her what she could not do for herself. He restored what was lost.
The good news is Jesus didn’t stop restoring in Bible days. That same restoration power is at work in your life. He is doing what you cannot do right now. Lately, you may feel like you’ve been on a losing streak. You want things to change but you can’t do it by yourself. You’re praying for things to get better but, in some areas, they seem to be worsening day by day. Like the widow of Nain, things look to be going downhill.
But not to worry. Jesus is standing by. He has taken notice of your situation. You have gotten His attention. He is placing His hand upon your symbolic bier—which represents the dead things that you need to be brought back to life. He is speaking new life into your circumstances and flexing His power in the places where it looks hopeless. Though all may seem lost, it’s not, because Christ, the Resurrected King, is resurrecting your situation. He’s making you whole. He’s commanding a blessing over your life. He’s doing a new thing.
So right now, Jesus is telling you what He told the grieving widow: “Don’t cry.”
Don’t fret. Don’t worry. Don’t be anxious. Don’t think it’s over. Don’t get negative in your thinking. Dry your tears. Rejoice instead. Lift up your head. Know that God is in control. He’s making all things new. He’s working things out for your good. He’s shifting things in your favor. He’s doing what you cannot do.
Though the enemy has come after you forcefully and the obstacles appear insurmountable, they aren’t, because the Lord is on your side! You are not strong enough to handle the force of the opposition, but God is above all and greater than all. He is doing what no other power can do.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Exodus 15:6 in the Good News Translation, right into your cup of inspiration, which says, "Your right hand, LORD, is awesome in power; it breaks the enemy in pieces.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know this: what the enemy thought would break you in pieces will not. Instead, the mighty hand of the Lord will break the enemy in pieces. His diabolical plan will fail. God has already secured victory on your behalf.
So rest in Him and watch Him work this out for your good.
Now let’s pray.
God, I have been going through some things that are too difficult for me to handle. In my own strength, I can’t make it. I can’t take it. And I don’t have the power to change it. But I know You are more than able. So I lean on You today and declare Your promises over my life. I decree that Your resurrection power will resurrect the dead things in my life and do a new thing. I praise You for deliverance in advance. It is done by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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