Will we ever make it
I have never been to or climbed Ayers Rock, but they tell me it's a long way up! The climb isn't for the foolhardy, nor for those who are out of conditions. Well a family on one of those Central Australian Safaris, decided that they would like to climb Ayers Rock - even though it looked a very daunting task.
Only one problem - their youngest was about two years old. When he looked at that track leading all the way to the top, he knew there was no way his short little legs would get him there. And then he began to cry - thinking that he would be stuck at the bottom all alone, while everyone else went climbing. But hey, wait a minute. All was not lost. His father had one of those child carriers, and when he had put it on his back, the child's mother lifted him in, and he made it where he never could have gone himself. Why? Because someone bigger than himself carried him. Maybe you're looking at a pretty daunting climb right now. You've got something ahead of you that looks very big and your legs just aren't long enough and strong enough to climb this one. It seems like a long hard climb ahead of you. But, hey, I've got some good news for you! Someone bigger is ready to carry you.
In Isaiah chapter 43 the prophet gives us some great news. But before he does so, he reminds us in verse 16 that our God is an almighty God - One who is able to do the impossible: "He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and there they lay, never to rise again, wiped out and completely defeated."
You may recall that Isaiah is referring to that time when the Israelites en route to the promised land, were in danger of being hauled back to slavery in Egypt. With the Red Sea in front of them and the mighty Egyptian Army behind them, God's people must have thought, "No way - no way - can we escape from the Egyptians." But when we say, "No way," God says, "There is a way!". And so our almighty Lord parted the Red Sea. He brought to ruin the mightiest army on earth like we would blow out a candle, and the Israelites were saved. But then what about the rest of the journey - a daunting walk all the way to Canaan - the promised land? Was God able to lead them safely there?
And we face the same situation. When we have faced up to many difficulties and navigated through them by God’s grace - but then what about lies ahead? Is our Lord able to handle the things that threaten to further overwhelm us? Well let's read on in Isaiah 43 in verse 18: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" The God who brought you through all the oceans and all the armies of the past, is promising to carry you into this next exciting episode - His new thing.
And In case you're wondering about a way through the wilderness ahead, He says, "I am making a way in the desert." If you're concerned about the resources you're going to need but you don't have, He says, "I will make streams in the wasteland." Or, like the two-year-old facing that daunting climb, there was someone bigger than him to carry him. What he couldn't do on his own, was made possible by his way-making father.
And you have a way-making Father also. Who wants to carry you where you could never go yourself. The climb may look insurmountable right now. You may be saying, "Yeah, but there's no job, there's no money, no mate, no way." Or you may be looking up at a huge medical challenge or emotional challenge. There may be some fearful possibilities out there or a situation that will demand answers or resources that you just don't have.
Welcome to the "Carry me, Daddy" Zone.
God wants to rewrite your definition of the word impossible. Listen to His promise earlier in Isaiah 43 (verses 1-3), "Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. For I am the Lord your God, your Saviour."
No, your legs won't make it. That climb is just too daunting - and your Father knows it. Oh, but you will make it to the top - not on your legs, but in your Father's arms. Trust Him to carry you through. In His strength you WILL make it! Grace and peace....