God’s Mission is NOT Impossible

Has God ever sent you on a mission that seemed impossible? I don’t mean a mission trip to Africa. I mean a task that seems at first glance to be just a job, just a team, just a school, but when you arrive or join, you realize God put you there for something so much greater.

Currently, I’m reading a memoir. It is the story of a regular person who God called to build something that seemed impossible. Even though this man was a servant, he became a great leader, who rallied the people and ignored the critics. He prayed at every step and followed God’s directions. His name was Nehemiah. The Bible is full of stories of regular people who God sends on what seem like impossible missions. But through faithful obedience, these people do amazing things.

When Moses turned the leadership role over to Joshua, God spoke these powerful words to him as he prepared to conquer and settle the promise land with the Israelites. Let them speak to you as you accept your mission.

“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I (God) was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people … Be careful to obey all the law; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I (God) not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5-9)

Now, you’re probably thinking, but I’m not trying to conquer the promise land or rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, so how does any of this apply to me? God created a unique role for each of us. He calls to our own mission fields regardless of our place in this world. We only need to follow where He leads. Maybe you will be called to lead a large group of people in a major building project; or maybe you will be called to lead a bunch of teenagers in a Sunday School class; or maybe you will be called to lead your co-workers closer to Christ by your example and your words. I don’t know the call for your life in this moment. That is between God and you, but I do know He will always be with you. Some days you may feel the sting of rejection and setbacks, but friends, this is the time to persevere in faith and obedience. God is not working on our timeline, and His definition of success is often very different than ours.

“And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.” (Neh. 2:8). Nehemiah followed God’s commands, being obedient like Moses and Joshua. When we are obedient to His calling, He works with us. He clears the path for us and protects us from those who would hurt us. We may have to deal with the enemy figuratively and often literally. For Joshua, it was the tribes in the promise land. For Nehemiah, it was Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem.

But …

Nehemiah answered them with these words. “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or right to it.”

We must stay and face the enemy. We must be strong and courageous in the face of adversity and have faith that God never leaves us. If He has put us in this place to lead His people and rebuild His Kingdom, (whatever that means in our lives and our circumstances) we must be obedient, and He will be gracious. But we can’t doubt or be double-minded or “we will receive nothing from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7) There is no enemy that our all-powerful God cannot defeat.

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. For the arrogant rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:9)

We must stay the course. We must be strong and courageous. We must be faithful and obedient.

God will be faithful. He keeps His promises. God doesn’t call us to anything we cannot do.

What is God calling you to do? If the mission seems impossible, let’s pray about it. I’d love to pray for you to know your mission and find success. Or perhaps we should pray for God’s protection for you from those that want to hurt you. Perhaps, you are like me right now and called to be an encourager. What ways can we help the people in our lives that are facing challenges?

It’s time for us to accept our missions from God. They are not Impossible.