Impossibilities

One of my favorite stories is that of the bumble bee. A few years ago, scientists at the NASA developed an interest in bumblebees. The lab folks figured the insect held some secret of flight that may provide answers to questions about aerodynamics. They asked themselves how such small wings could produce enough lift for such a large, heavy body. They felt there was much to be learned from the bumblebee.

These scientists set about studying the bumblebee to discover its flying secrets. They hypothesized, examined, measured, timed, filmed, observed, thought about and debated the bumblebee. After weeks of study they came to one conclusion – bumblebees are not capable of flight. It is really impossible that they can fly. But God in His infinite wisdom needs them to fly to help pollinate the plants and flowers of our planet. So fly they will...impossible or not!

What in your life do you think is impossible right now? What situations are happening in your life that you just do not see any way out and can't imagine being worked out favorably on your behalf? It is really easy in the midst of many trials and situations and desert wanderings to see the impossible way more than the more than possible.

As I have been praying and studying, I have been focusing on God's name El Shadday. This was the covenant name of God that was given to Abraham by God. The name El Shadday, means God Almighty.

I have been thinking about what the word almighty means. According to good ol' Webster it means: all-powerful, supreme, absolute, unlimited, invincible, omnipotent. I love that it means absolute. There is not much that is absolute in life, but God is. El Shadday is basically the God for whom NOTHING is impossible.

The name El Shadday was introduced to Abraham in Genesis 17. When Abraham was 99 years old (then called Abram). God told Abraham to walk before God and be blameless and GOD would confirm His covenant and greatly increase his numbers. God then proceeded to share with Abraham how he would be the father of many nations and his wife Sarah would have a child at the age of 90. This made Abraham basically laugh in the face of God. To him this was absolutely crazy and impossible. I can identify totally with Abraham. I am pretty sure if God told me I was going to birth a child at the age of 90, I would laugh pretty heartily too. Quite preposterous and impossible.

El Shadday is the God for whom NOTHING is impossible. But yet, we doubt. We hear God say one thing, but then when it doesn't work out the way WE think it should, we doubt God. Maybe we think He changed His mind or maybe we think He doesn't care or can't do it. Maybe we just figure He forgot about us.

But in Numbers 23:19 it says: "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" God is El Shadday. He is God Almighty, He doesn't forget, change His mind or lie. He is absolute and all powerful. He can do the impossible.

In our path are often stumbling blocks that cause us to question and doubt the plans, the purposes and the promises of God. We need to pray to El Shadday, the God of the Impossible, to turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones of faith.

God will do what He has promised.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7: 7-11