Trinity Lutheran Church - Town of Wilson

In God's Hands - Nothing's Impossible

Posted by on 29 October 2009 | 0 Comments

After the lines of the Reformation were clearly drawn, the life of Martin Luther was in serious danger on more than one occasion.

We are told that when the heat of the conflict was at fever pitch, a church official sought to frighten the great Reformer.  He pointed to the overwhelming power that was arrayed against the lonely monk.

“Unless you can muster a force of equal strength in your defense,” the churchman thundered, “where will you be?”

After a silent moment Martin Luther replied:  “I shall be where I have always been – in the hands of Almighty God.”

Do we have that same conviction as we go about our tasks from day to day?

When we arise from bed each morning, when we set out for work, when we tackle the problems of another day, do we do so in the full consciousness that our lives are indeed “in the hands of Almighty God”?

King David, whose life was a constant succession of dangers found confidence and courage in the knowledge that “his times were in God’s hands.”

As believers in Christ we need to cultivate the daily awareness that we are indeed in the hands of the Almighty.  What a difference it would make if in every circumstance of live we could always see ourselves exactly where we are – in His hands.

– adapted from Herman Gockel

The trouble is that for many – and perhaps even for us – that has become and is a comfortable thought, a thought that perhaps we take maybe too much comfort in.  It is comfortable here within our church building, among family and friends knowing that indeed we are in God’s hands.

In fact, that almost sounds like the pious platitude we see coming from the Pharisees in Jesus’ day who were confident in themselves.  We have become so comfortable, we do not even feel the need to come to worship, be involved in Bible study, support the works of God in this place, and the list continues on …  After all, we were baptized, we are a member of Trinity or St. Thomas, we are safe and secure, aren’t we?

And because of being safe and secure, we sometimes do not take advantages of the opportunities God gives us to extend His kingdom.  Yes, there are many opportunities, many doors God continues to lay before us … but we see them as impossible to carry out.  We hide behind the current economic situation, we hide behind the few numbers we have, perhaps throwing up our hands and saying “It’s not possible!”

But remember the words of our Lord?  “With man it is impossible – but not with God!”

So my question is:  Where is our faith?  Is it with man and our own efforts?  Or with God?

My prayer is that our faith is with God and that we each have the following prayer:  Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.  Amen.  And then may that faith find expression in our lives as we lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1