Too Difficult for the Lord?

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”  Genesis 18:14

This rhetorical question posed to Abraham by the Lord was in response to Sarah’s doubts concerning His promise that they would have a son. It would, indeed, require a biological miracle, for both were much too old for this to happen otherwise. With God, however, all things are possible, and He can, and will, fulfill every promise, even if a miracle is required.

This same rhetorical question was asked of the prophet Jeremiah. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?’” (Jer. 32:26-27). The One Who created all flesh, Who raises up kings and puts them down, could surely fulfill His promise to restore Israel to its homeland when the set time was come.

But Jeremiah had already confessed his faith in God’s omnipotence. “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jer. 32:17). The God Who called the mighty universe into being would not fail to keep His promise and fulfill His will.

Actually, the word translated “difficult” in these verses is more commonly rendered “wonderful,” or “marvelous,” or an equivalent adjective, referring usually to something miraculous that could only be accomplished by God. For example: “He wrought wonders before their father in the land of Egypt” (Psalm 78:12). “For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). The first occurrence of the word (Hebrew: “pala”), however, is in our text for today.

There is nothing - nothing - too hard for the Lord, and we should never doubt His Word!