What Is Impossible With Man Is Possible With God
When facing difficult or seemingly impossible situations, we may feel powerless and without hope. Yet the Bible tells us “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: With God’s power, nothing is too difficult for Him.
Through faith and prayer, all things are possible.
In this article, we will explore the deeper meaning behind this passage, providing concrete examples of God working mightily where human ability falls short. We’ll also discuss how to increase our faith when facing our own impossibilities.
The Source of the Quote
The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler
The quote “What is impossible with man is possible with God” originates from a passage in the Bible found in Matthew 19:16-26. Here, Jesus tells the story of a rich young ruler who asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus told him to keep the commandments, which the man said he already kept. Wanting to become perfect, the man then asked Jesus what else he lacked. Jesus tells him that if he wishes to be perfect, he must sell his possessions and give to the poor.
The man went away in sorrow, unable to let go of his wealth.
Jesus uses this interaction to teach that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). His disciples then ask who can be saved if the rich can’t enter God’s kingdom.
Jesus replies, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This emphasizes that letting go and fully depending on God can accomplish what seems impossible to do on our own.
Importance of Letting Go and Depending on God
The passage highlights the importance of surrendering everything to God rather than trusting in our own resources. Just like the rich young ruler, we often cling tightly to what provides us security, status or identity in this world. Letting go requires faith that God will meet all our needs.
A 2022 Pew Research survey found that those who regularly attend religious services are more likely to say they trust God “completely” to take care of them. However, 61% of U.S. adults overall rely more on themselves than God.
Truly depending on God may mean stepping out in ways we feel unprepared for.
Yet this surrender and trust open up possibilities that seemed impossible before. When we remove the obstacles blocking God’s power, we find that “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Stories throughout Christian history illustrate how God worked miraculously when people depended fully on Him rather than limiting Him according to what seemed reasonable.
Just as wealth prevented the rich young ruler from trusting Christ completely, we often allow our comfortable lives to restrict all that God wants to do through us. But taking steps of faith to let go of what hinders us releases His supernatural work.
Examples Where God Accomplished the Impossible
Parting of the Red Sea
One of the most famous examples of God accomplishing the impossible is the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus. As the Israelites were fleeing Egypt, they came to the Red Sea with the Egyptian army in pursuit. Trapped at the sea, it seemed that all hope was lost.
But God miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land (Exodus 14). Once the Israelites had crossed safely, God allowed the waters to come crashing back down, drowning the advancing Egyptian army. This amazing feat allowed the Israelites to escape captivity in Egypt.
God turned an impossible situation into an opportunity for His people to witness His glory and power.
Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand
Another significant example is when Jesus fed over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). As the crowds gathered to hear Jesus, it became clear they had no food. The disciples wanted to send them away, but Jesus told them to bring what little food they could find.
After Jesus blessed the food, the disciples distributed it, and there was enough to feed the entire multitude with leftovers! This miraculous provision revealed Jesus’ divine identity and showed God can multiply limited resources in impossible circumstances.
This event is attested in all four Gospels, underscoring its significance. It remains one of the most spectacular examples of Jesus manifesting God’s supernatural power.
The Resurrection of Jesus
Perhaps the greatest example of God accomplishing the impossible is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. After Jesus was crucified, his lifeless body was laid in a tomb, wrapped in burial linens. The tomb was sealed and guards posted outside.
On the third day, there was a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back the stone on the tomb entrance (Matthew 28:2). Jesus’ disciples found the tomb empty, and many people witnessed the risen Christ. His resurrection conquered sin and death, which was seemingly impossible.
Most historians acknowledge Jesus’ crucifixion as historical fact. That a man brutally executed came back to life three days later defied all natural explanation. Yet multiple eyewitness testimonies, the boldness of the Apostles, and the rapid spread of Christianity all point to the reality of the resurrection.
Jesus’ resurrection remains the ultimate demonstration of God’s power overcoming certain defeat and accomplishing the impossible.
Increasing Our Faith in God’s Power
Praying for Stronger Faith
One of the most powerful ways to increase our faith in God is through prayer. When we come before God in earnest prayer, humbly asking Him to strengthen our faith, He delights to answer that request. We can pray for Him to increase our trust in His promises, to help us rely on Him more fully in difficult circumstances, and to deepen our confidence that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Persistent prayer demonstrates our dependence on God rather than ourselves. As we see Him move in response to our prayers for greater faith, our faith grows.
For example, Mark 9:14-29 records Jesus healing a boy with an unclean spirit. When the disciples were unable to drive out the spirit, Jesus told them it required prayer. This reminds us that prayer is a vital key to experiencing the miraculous power of God.
The more we pray for stronger faith, the more we will experience His power working through us.
Meditating on God’s Word
In addition to prayer, meditating on God’s Word is another powerful way to increase our faith and trust in Him. As we read about God’s faithfulness to His people throughout history, His incredible miracles, answered prayers, and promises to us, our confidence in Him grows.
We are reminded that the God who parted the Red Sea, healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed storms, and conquered death itself is the same God who loves us and is for us today (Hebrews 13:8). Meditating on specific Bible passages about faith, like Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 11, reinforces that faith comes by hearing God’s Word.
According to a 2017 Lifeway Research survey, only 11% of Americans read the Bible daily. But those who do read God’s Word experience greater faith. By carving out time to read the Bible, our view of God expands.
We understand more fully that His plans and purposes are good, His power is unlimited, and He is worthy of our complete trust.
Recalling Previous Victories
Finally, recalling specific times when God showed His faithfulness to us in the past helps build faith for the future. Remembering how He answered a particular prayer, provided in a difficult season, or worked miracles reinforces that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
When fear or doubt creep in, we can reflect on His proven track record in our lives. Keeping a journal to record answered prayers and spiritual milestones allows us to reflect on them whenever our faith needs a boost.
Sharing testimonies with other believers encourages them and builds everyone’s faith as well. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas shared how God “opened the door of faith” to the Gentiles. “They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders” (v. 3).
Just as God grew the early church’s faith through miracles and testimonies, He still desires to reveal His power to us today.
Applying These Truths to Our Impossibilities
Surrendering Our Will to God’s
When facing impossibilities in life, one of the most powerful things we can do is surrender our will to God’s will (Proverbs 3:5-6). This means laying down our own desires, plans and timing, and trusting that God knows what is best for us.
Though surrendering is difficult, it brings peace, rest and opens the door for God to work powerfully. As we release tight control, pray “not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42), God is able to move mountains on our behalf.
Waiting Patiently on God’s Timing
Human nature inclines us to want solutions to impossibilities on our timing, not God’s. However, Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Waiting strengthens our faith and trust in God. It allows space for God to work in His timing and way (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Though waiting can be challenging, God promises it will be worthwhile (Galatians 6:9). We can wait patiently by praying, surrendering anxious thoughts, being still before God, and trusting His promises.
Partnering with God Through Obedient Action
Though only God can accomplish the impossible, He desires that we partner with Him. As James 2:17 states, faith without action is dead. We demonstrate faith and partner with God by praying, surrendering our will, renewing our minds with scripture (Romans 12:2), seeking wise counsel, acting in obedience when He prompts us to act, and releasing the outcome to Him.
We do what we can and trust God to do what we cannot. As we walk in obedience, God delights to bless our efforts in miraculous ways.
Conclusion
What may seem impossible through human eyes is never impossible for God. As we walk closely with Him, deepen our faith, and surrender our difficulties into His hands, we open the door for Him to move miraculously on our behalf.
We can take comfort that the same God who parted seas and raised the dead stands ready to break through whenever we feel powerless. May we hold firm to His truth that nothing is impossible with God by our side.
