God of the Possible – The Presidential Prayer Team

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26

In Matthew 19, Jesus tells the story of a young man, a leader in his community, highly moral and very wealthy. In addition to having everything in the earthly realm, he wanted to add eternal life. Jesus, checking his seriousness, told him to sell everything he had and give the proceeds to the poor, and then to follow the Lord. As Matthew relays in the story, that was more than the young man was willing to do “for he had great possessions.” His desire for the life he had was greater than His desire to do God’s will.

Jesus then said to those who followed Him that it would be very difficult for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. The meaning of Jesus’ comment regarding the eye of the needle (v. 24) has been disputed by theologians. Some have said it refers to a gate into Jerusalem that was small enough for a man to enter, but not large enough for a camel. Another opinion is that the word was mistakenly translated as “camel” and actually meant “rope.” Either way, the impossible becomes possible with the Lord, who makes His kingdom available to you.

How far are you willing to go for the kingdom of God? Your salvation has been forever secured when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and make Him Lord of your life. Is there anything that is burdening you or keeping you from yielding all your life and self to God? Surrender it today—and then watch God begin to do things with your life that seemed impossible.

Today’s Verse: Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 19:16-26

¹⁶And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” ¹⁷And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, ¹⁹Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁰The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” ²¹Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

²³And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”