What can God do?

By Dick Oldham

Do you remember Sunday school days as kids? A teacher would quote Matthew 19:26 and say all things are possible with God. God can do anything. But we had the silly ditty to ask, “Can God make a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it?” Any answer proves God cannot do the impossible…at least to childish minds.

That was foolishness of a child the sort that reminds one of Calvin’s answer to a question posed to him. He was asked, “What was God doing before He created the heavens and the earth?” He responded, “Creating Hell for people who ask such questions.” Of course, he was not serious, just making a serious point that “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, (WHY?) that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29) Many things are reveled for us to know, and to do. Master these and leave the secret things to God.

But we are not good at leaving things to God, are we? We wish to be like God and fix everything that seems broken to us. Perhaps like me you have thought, “Well, I wish I was in charge of Washington DC for a while!” But God didn’t put me there for a reason (there’s a reason to be grateful!), and He brought up the rulers He wanted for His purpose (and He says to be grateful), and He will bring them down. He will judge me, and them; it is not my place to do so, but my place is to obey the government established by God and pray for my leaders. In other words, do the works of the law and trust God! He is either sovereign and in control, or we cannot trust Him. There is no muddled middle ground, He is God, and there is no other… Period. (Is 45:22)

God uses brokenness for good. I don’t know about you, but brokenness which He brought to me drove me to humble myself before Him. It’s hard for a young man to give up and acknowledge God is in control. He doesn’t need me to figure things out and fix His world. He’s got the whole world in His hands!

We have all reached a place in life that seemed impossible. Perhaps when talking to a spouse or friend about the situation, we may have said, “What can I do?” It is the human reaction, we have to be doers, fixers, especially us men. Life presents problems and we are to solve them. Out goes the chest, stiff upper lip, we must fix this! We like to fix things that are not even broke! Like Tim the Tool man, I can make it better! Tweak that, torque this… Watch out!

But is that walking by faith? Isn’t that what the world does? If I can figure out how to fix everything and what to say and what to do to make my world perfect, then I have no need for God, no need for faith. I am trusting in myself. I can do this.

Then there are those who take the “Me and God” approach. I will say a prayer, then do what I think is best, and trust the results to God. Side B of this coin is those who do what they think is best, then ask God to bless it. Afterall, God blesses those who help themselves (Book of worldly wisdom, ch 1).

But what are we to do? How do we fix our world? The question we should ask is, “What can God do?”

What if it isn’t really broke? Is the world in His hands or not? We are broken, but God’s plan is not. Since He raises up a governor who does evil, and God uses it for good, then would He raise up a bad neighbor or boss for me? What if we are to trust that God is really in control, and be faithful to do what He has commanded until He comes for us? There’s an idea.

Are we in the place of God? What if we are to give thanks in all things, in things that seem broken, that are unfair, unjust, and plain evil? “All things…” Could fallen man and Satan mean it for evil (and be held accountable for their evil) and God be in control and mean it for good? (Gen 50: 19-20) He says He does. He has promised good to us, do you believe Him?

Instead, we want a treasure map with action fights and clues to figure out, like a good movie. But Jesus simply said, “Follow me”, and He gave us a treasure map of 66 books. Young people always want to know God’s will for their lives . . . this is it people, follow and obey. Be faithful in these little things and He will lead you into bigger. Prepare now and obey Him one decision at a time, easy peazy lemon squeezy. As a door opens or closes for you, if you are following, He will lead. If you are not following, you are leading… Simple dimple ugly pimple that is!

Did I say easy? Unfortunately, we are not so good at doing what He has told us. He gives us directions you know, and lots of them! Such as pray without ceasing, be joyful always, in all things give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus . Study to show yourself approved and able to rightly divide the Word of God, go make disciples, teach them to OBEY all that I have taught you, preach the Word in season and out, do good to those who revile you, and love your neighbor as yourself. We could go on and on. Lots to do! Those were not ‘to do lists’ for preachers, they are for all Christians. (I Thess 5:16-22, 2 Tim 2:15, Matt 28:18-20, 2 Tim 4:2, Luke 6:27-28, Mark 12:29-31)

In summary, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said this is the sum of the Law of God given to Moses. I know I have not mastered either and struggle to do them both for even a few minutes before my mind wanders to me, myself, and mine. Thank God we are under grace and our salvation does not depend on works of the law. However, the Law of God is still good, still our road map to follow Jesus.

Ours is not to fix the broken world, not even our own little world. The broken stove, yes…fix that as service to your family and a good steward of God’s gifts. The broken governor or neighbor? You cannot fix them, but you can love them, pray for them and do good to them. Perhaps if you really loved them, then God would fix them like He fixed you. He can if He wants to. Jesus said we should always pray and don’t lose heart. Plead with Him like the widow with the unjust judge! (Luke 18:1-8)

Never forget you were and still are in many ways, broken like this world. You are still part of the problem pilgrim, still in need of fixing like me. But there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1) Are you in Christ? Or, simply acknowledging Christ? Being in Christ is justification, acknowledging Him while doing your own thing is the lost world.

What can God do? All that He wants to, and He wants good for you. Trust He is doing that. Are you following Jesus, or asking Jesus to follow up your efforts? Our part is given. Pray for the lost, repent and follow, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these is love. Reread Hebrews 13 with a view to what love really is and apply it to your family, neighbor, coworker, and boss.

Faith is trusting God to do the impossible and fix this world, even your little world. It is not a rock too heavy for Him. We just follow and obey, start today to “trust and obey, for there is no other way” as the hymnist wrote. (J.H. Sammis, 1887) There is no plan B, no my plan, no me plus God. It is His plan. We do our part, let God be God and do His.

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The youngest son of a Pastor / Missionary Dick Oldham grew up in Louisiana, Texas, Guyana, and Indiana. Upon graduation from University he accepted a position with General Motors in Engineering, and worked for various automotive companies for over forty years.

His expertise led to involvement in several new plant constructions around the world, including Mexico, Korea, and Argentina where he was involved in design, construction, heavy equipment installations, debug and start up, and training of local workers. The opportunity to live for several years in other countries, on other people’s money, was a blessing and an education in humanity, cultures and religions.

Dick is retired and living in Ohio with his wife of 42 years. Their family consists of two children and their spouses, and three grandchildren. He operates a small farm with his children and enjoys the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Feature photo by Benjamin Davies is used by permission.