What is impossible for man, becomes possible with God

Last spring I received a phone call from a long-time high school friend in California.

It reminded me of a day nearly 50 years earlier when two teenagers were standing before a minister about to take an oath before God to marry and devote themselves to each other for life. David was the groom and Carolyn was the bride; I was the best man. We were 16 and 17. A marriage, on the face of it, that did not offer much hope for success.

Flash forward 50 years to present day. They were asking me to officiate at the renewal of their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary. There had been many ups and downs, hardships and struggles along the way, but they were standing there, 50 years later as a testimony of commitment and resolve to make their marriage not only last, but to be the best it could be.

How did they do it?

After a few years of trying to make marriage work on their own and learning by trial and error how difficult it was, they started going to church. There they heard the good news of Jesus Christ and how He promised not only to save them, but give them life, and “it more abundantly,” if they would trust Him with it; they accepted His offer and both became believers in Jesus Christ.

They soon found something different in their life and marriage. The struggles of life together were not taken away, but there was something different about their approach to life now that had been absent before.

And that difference made the difference between a marriage and a life that was struggling, and one that became a blessing and a rich addition to their life together. It was the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They discovered that where Jesus is present, there in not only hope in their life together but a genuine hope for success. Where Jesus is present there is life, beauty, hope and success. Jesus’ promise to His people is that He will “cause all things to work together for good.” This promise means that God will use the difficulties and trials, the difficult people, even our own failures, to be the means for displaying His grace that brings restoration, hope and joy.

His Word says that He will take the “ashes” of our lives and turn them into “garlands” and “bouquets.” His touch makes the difference. Like the poem, ‘Footsteps”, when trials of life are overwhelming, He carries us through the storm. He sees to it that we get to other side, usually with greater faith and joy. Religion cannot do it, but the Person of Jesus Christ can.

It is not just marriage that Jesus improves, for when He comes into a person’s life, He takes everything in that life and makes it better.

As His people surrender more of their lives over to His control, they see their life enriched in those areas. They learn that by taking His word to heart, as a way of life today, they cannot go wrong. Moreover, trusting in His promise of eternal life gives the hope that we need when our loved ones who have believed in Him, go before us in death.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life, “Jesus once said. And that is no different today. In the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, is found these words, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

When we then, find ourselves overcome by our limitations and losing hope in life, we are better able and certainly more willing to see that Jesus is the answer that we are looking for. Better to find that answer now, when we have opportunity to do something about it, than when it is too late, and all hope is gone.

Jesus makes clear that He gives hope not only for today, but the hope He gives is necessary for eternity. He not only grants us the grace we need in our trials today, but it is through Him that we may be have the grace we need for eternity. The day when, as the Bible says, we must all face God and give account.

For those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and new life today, also receive the grace that He promises us on that great Day. This life tests the genuineness of our faith and that Jesus can be trusted always.

Whether in the things that life brings our way each day or with our future hope, He daily shows that our trust in Him is good for eternity. Trust in Him is the only solid ground on which to stand. He is faithful, and those who trust in Him “will not be disappointed.”

Pastor Rick McLeod can be reached at Southside Community Church in Cocolalla.