God's Word Never Fails

I know that Christmas is already becoming a distant memory as we forge ahead into the new year, but please indulge me as I look back one last time. You see, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I always enjoy reading the account of Jesus’ birth. Every year I seem to focus on a different aspect of the story, and this year was no exception. As I was reading again the familiar verses, Luke 1:37 seemed to leap off the page: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

To give you some context, this was spoke by the angel, Gabriel, to Mary when he came to announce that she would be the mother of the Messiah. To say that this was an overwhelming message, I feel is a bit of an understatement. The look of fear mixed with shock must have been enough for Gabriel to know that Mary needed some reassurance that his message was, indeed, true; thus, he wrapped it up by giving her a word of encouragement. Mary could trust God because her relative Elizabeth, who was well past the childbearing years, was also pregnant proving that “with God nothing shall be impossible.”

A promise that, since the beginning, has been spoken by God to his people. Flip in your Bible to Genesis and you will see that when no one, including Sarah, would believe that she could have a child, God told Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). Job came to this same realization as well when he said, “I know that you can do all things: no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) The prophet Jeremiah also understood this truth as he raised his voice in prayer saying, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17) And Jesus himself said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

What a comfort it is to know that there is nothing too difficult or beyond God’s reach. You simply cannot stump him but hear how the NIV translates the verse from Luke: “For no word from God will ever fail.” I’ve had to sit with this for a moment because it puts a little different spin on it. In other words, if God has spoken, it will happen. God accomplishes his purposes through the power of his word, and as the psalmist wrote: “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:9)

When Gabriel concluded his message to Mary, she responded: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) God spoke, and she believed that his word would not fail her. She surrendered herself to God as his willing servant, and I see Mary as a living example of what the apostle Paul would later write: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

What an example for us to follow because no word from God will ever fail us either! For fun, I googled how many promises there are in scripture, and I found there are thousands and thousands. I don’t have space to list them all, but here are just a few of the things that God offers his children:

• God promised that if we search for him, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).

• God promised protection for his children (Psalm 121).

• God promised that His love will never fail (1 Chronicles 16:34). He is faithful in every way.

• God promised blessing for all who will delight themselves in his Word (Psalm 1:1–3).

• God promised salvation to all who believe in his Son (Romans 1:16–17).

• God promised that all things will work out for good for his children (Romans 8:28).

• God promised comfort in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

• God promised new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• God promised every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• God promised to finish the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6).

• God promised peace when we pray (Philippians 4:6–7).

• God promised to supply our needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

• Jesus promised rest (Matthew 11:28–30), as well as abundant life to those who follow Him (John 10:10).

• Jesus promised eternal life to those who trust Him (John 4:14). The Good Shepherd also promised to hold us securely: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

• Jesus promised that He will return for us (John 14:2–3).

This is just the tip of the iceberg, and friends, all of these promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). As Paul said, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Do we believe it though? Do we live each day expecting God to do the impossible. That his word will never fail us, or do we shuffle through our days expecting the worst to happen and that God will somehow let us down?

I’m sitting with these thoughts because a good friend of mine died this week. She was battling cancer, but it was a fall that actually ended her life here on earth. Not long before her death, I sat with her during one of her chemo treatments. She was always a delight to be with and that day was no different. We chased many a rabbit, as friends tend to do, and during the course of our conversation, she shared a sweet memory of her late husband, Ted.

Ted also had had cancer, and not long before his death she told him that when she got to heaven, she would come running to him. Ted would have none of that nonsense though, and told her, “Now Rene, you know that you are supposed to run to Jesus and not me.”

She said that she smiled and told him, “Oh honey, Jesus will be running with me.”

This came from the heart of a woman who was not only head over heels in love with her husband, but with her Savior too. Rene knew it was Jesus who had sustained her through her husband’s illness and death. She also knew God was with her that day as she sat hooked to a machine pumping chemo through her body, and regardless of whether the chemo worked or not, there was no doubt in Rene’s mind that God’s word would never fail her.

How do I know?

She lived it every day. Rene was joyful even in her suffering; for she knew that when she was weak, she was strong through Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10). I would also not be a bit surprised if Jesus said to her when she saw him face to face, “Rene, let’s go find Ted together!”

But, friends, Satan wants you to doubt God's promises. He wants you to live in fear and anxiety that God will not do what he says he will do. But you don’t have to listen to him! Instead, hear the words of pastor and author, Zac Poonen, “No one on earth can make life miserable for you anymore – not your boss, not your neighbor, not your relatives, not your enemies, not Satan, no one – for you have learned the secrets of victory.”

And what is the secret? 

The tomb was empty; therefore, death has no hold on us! “By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 The Message)

In this new year, take time to read for yourself the promises of God. Claim them, and like my friend Rene, trust that his word will never fail you!

Amen and so be it! Lisa

Discussion Questions

Has there been a time when you thought your struggle was just too big for God? What changed your doubt?

What promises of God have you seen fulfilled in your own life?

Who do you allow to make you miserable? What steps can you take to reclaim your joy?