The dictionary defines impossible as incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled. What is your impossible situation? Maybe it involves your marriage, a child, or your health. Whatever it is, there is nothing that God cannot handle. For this post, we will focus on Exodus 14, however, this premise is repeated over and over in Scripture (Gen. 18:14, Job 42:2, Jer. 32:17, Matt. 19:26, Mk. 10:27, Lk. 1:37, Lk. 18:27, Eph. 3:20-21). Nothing is impossible for the Lord! Here are three actions to take when facing impossibilities:
Stand Firm
In Exodus 14, the Israelites are finally marching out of bondage in Egypt. God had given them freedom! However, “the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord… And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still…’” (Ex. 14:13). The devil never gives up territory without a fight. When you have been set free from bondage, expect the devil to martial his army to attack you. Don’t be afraid. You will gain the victory, but not without a battle. Moses told the people to stand still (also translated “stand firm”). When Paul talks about spiritual warfare and the armor God, he starts out saying, “and having done all, to stand, stand therefore” (Eph. 6:13). Some of the greatest tactics of the enemy are fear and discouragement. There is a cycle that we see in Scripture and in life. After every victory there is an attack, but miracles do not produce faith. Impossibilities produce faith. Impossibilities do not mean you are out of the will of God. They may mean that you are in the will of God. “Stand firm” means to strap in, buckle up, and hold on for the ride. Life is a rollercoaster full of ups and downs, twists and turns. For every mountain there is a valley and for every valley there is a mountain. Enjoy the ride! Don’t quit! Stand your ground.
Step Forward
The Lord told Moses, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (v. 15). They were between a rock and a hard place, but God told them to trust Him and go forward. Fear will paralyze you, keeping you from doing what God calls you to do and being who God wants you to be. The word “exodus” means the way out. It is the story of God leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promise land. The way out is always forward. The Israelites’ story was full of battles and testing, but ultimately God keeps His promise and they made it! He set the captives free, fought their battles, parted the waters, and made a way! He will do the same for you! What God has for you is not in a rearview mirror. Where are you going? Everyone is either moving forward or going backward. God only reveals His plan to us one step at a time. “Go forward” means to step out in faith. It is easier to steer a moving car than one not moving!
See Faith
After Moses told the people not to be afraid and to stand firm, He continued, “…see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you…” (v. 13-14). We are to walk by faith and not by sight. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. We have to see with eyes of faith and not fear. We have to get our eyes on God and off the enemy. In verses 19-20 we read that God’s presence went before the Israelites and moved behind them. What an awesome picture! He protected them from what they could not see coming and He protected them from where they’d been. No matter the task God has given you, you can be sure that He goes before you and behind you. He stands between you and your difficulty. Nothing catches Him off guard. He has already made provision. He can be trusted!
“The Lord saved Israel that day” (v. 30) and even the Egyptians noticed “the Lord fights for them” (v. 25). When you get discouraged or tempted to give up because of a seemingly impossible situation, remember God will make a way. He finishes what He starts and He specializes in the impossible!
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impossible