Is there anything God cannot do?

Answer

On a clear night, gaze at the stars in the sky. Genesis 1 recounts that God created all of them! Consider the immense power in just one star! However, it’s not solely about raw power. There is intelligence and design intricately woven throughout our universe, down to the tiniest DNA strand, down to the smallest subatomic particle. God’s power and wisdom surpass our understanding. This is why the LORD asked Abraham in Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” This is why the LORD reassured Moses when he questioned how God could provide meat for millions of Israelites in the wilderness, “Is the LORD’s arm too short?” «And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’s hand shortened? You shall see now whether my word will come to pass for you or not.», (Numbers 11:23). This is why Jonathan told his armor bearer that the LORD didn’t require many soldiers to achieve victory «And Jonathan said to the young man carrying his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.», (1 Samuel 14:6).

Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “Ah Lord GOD! behold, you have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm, and nothing is too hard for you” (KJV). Even in the spiritual realm, those who appear farthest from salvation are not beyond His reach (Mark 10:25-27). As immense as His power is, His love and mercy are equally vast—so much so that He was willing to send His own Son to die on the cross of Calvary to atone for sinful mankind. He did this to ensure that He, in perfect justice, couldForgive those who may turn away from self-reliance and sin to rely on Christ and His completed work. As parents, it would be far worse to witness our children endure torment than to go through it ourselves, and yet that is precisely what God the Father did. John 3:16 proclaims God’s immense love: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV). This love was not only for the “good” people (there are none), but for us—a fallen, sinful, unlovely, rebellious people (Romans 3:10-23)—and yet He chose to lavish us with His love (Romans 5:6-10) when we didn’t deserve it.

The only thing that God cannot do is act contrary to His own character and nature. For instance, Titus 1:2 affirms that He cannot lie. Because He is holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16), He cannot sin. Because He is just, He cannot simply overlook sin. Because Christ paid the penalty for sin, He is now able to pardon those who place their faith in Christ (Isaiah 53:1-12; Romans 3:26).

Truly, our God is an awesome God—unchanging, eternal, unlimited in power, majesty, knowledge, wisdom, love, mercy, and holiness. However, we are much like the Israelites who, even after witnessing God display His power and love repeatedly, doubted both His love and power when faced with each new trial in their lives (e.g., Numbers 13-14). May God help us to honor Him with dependence and trust in Him through the next “crisis” we encounter, for He is a “very present help in trouble” «God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. », (King James Version).

Read (Psalm 46:1, ESV).