Trust the God of Impossibilities

  This weekend, I watched an interesting movie titled "Faith like Potatoes" based on a true story depicting the life of Angus Buchan, a white farmer of Scottish descent who owned a farm in Zambia and had to relocate to South Africa due to political instability.  While in South Africa, Angus and his family gave their lives to Christ.

The local white farmers at the time were facing many challenges, including violence from Africans, drought and dwindling returns on their income.  There was great anxiety among the farmers.  During his quiet time, God spoke to Angus to plant potatoes when the drought was at its peak and gave him a word from Ecclesiastes 11:4- "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap".   Though Angus was persuaded that it is God who spoke, His instruction did not make sense.  Notwithstanding, Angus obeyed God and planted the potatoes.  Several months later, he was surprised and elated to get a bumper harvest, the best he had ever gotten.  His conclusion was that faith is real; as real as potatoes!

Watching this particular movie was at a divinely orchestrated timing since I am currently reading the book of Ecclesiastes and the movie served to affirm lessons that I am learning from Ecclesiastes chapter 11.  The first verse in that chapter instructs us to cast our bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.  According to the NIV Commentary, "life has opportunities and we must seize them, not merely play it safe.  Just because life is uncertain does not mean we should do nothing.  We need a spirit of trust and adventure, facing life's risks and opportunities with God-directed enthusiasm and faith".  We must be hopeful of what we do not see, for hope that is seen is no hope (Romans 8:25).  In fact, those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are prisoners of hope (Zechariah 9:12).  We are never in despair!

In addition, verses 4-6 bear great and liberating truth for believers:

 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;  

    whoever looks at the clouds will not reap

As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.

God sometimes prompts us to action in times when the times do not seem right according to our human understanding.  Just like Angus the farmer, God might be speaking to some of us to plant potatoes in a time of drought.  What has God been prompting you to do in this season?  Allow your fears and doubt to be cast away in the light of who God is- Sovereign, Able, Unshakeable, Unchangeable, Faithful, Powerful & Mighty, All-knowing, All-present, Lord of War, Victorious in battle- Our All Sufficient God.  He knows our end from the beginning.  He is the Ancient of Days.  At the mention of His name, mountains bow down and the seas roar.  He is exalted above every rule and power.  He is God, besides and above Him is no other!

Often times, we are guilty of making God too small in our eyes.  Like the children of Israel, we often forget the mighty display of God's power in our lives and subject ourselves to bear the burdens and anxieties of this world.  May the Lord help us to remember always who He truly is.  Jut like David drew courage and strength to face Goliath from his God-given victories against the lion and the bear, may our past victories over sickness, lack, family struggles, sin, market place challenges etc. cause us to face each day with courage and faith.  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

When Elijah prophesied the sound of heavy rain in 1st Kings 18:41, there had been a severe drought for three years and there were no physical signs of rain.  In fact, following his prophecy, six times Elijah sent his servant to check for any signs of rain and the response was "there is nothing there".  Six times, Elijah received a response that was contrary to God's report for the season.  Despite the negative reports, Elijah maintained his hope and sent forth his servant the seventh time to check for any signs of rain.  On the seventh time, the report was different: "A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea".  As small as the sign might have been, Elijah was convinced beyond doubt of the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel, that there would be heavy rains.  He thus immediately sent out word to King Ahab instructing him to start his journey before the rains could catch up with him.

May God help our unbelief and enable us to receive His word for our lives in faith.  As Mary prayed in Luke 1:38 may our response to His word be, "May it be to me as you have said".  Physical signs regarding God's word for us in a particular season may be minimal or even lacking, but we ought to believe His report.  His report speaks of wholeness, freedom and victory!  We need to see through the eyes of faith which enable us to see heavy rain despite clear sky; they enable us to see a great outpouring despite there being a cloud as small as a man's hand.  Is anything too difficult or too wonderful for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14).  The things that are impossible with people are possible with God (Luke 18:27).  Has God spoken yet will not fulfill; has He said yet will not do?  We can trust in Him because He is Faithful- He does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).  He watches over His word to perform it in our lives (Jeremiah 1:12).  I challenge you in the name of Jesus to trust the God of impossibilities, step out in faith and obey His leading upon your life!

God is commanding you to enlargen the place of your tent, to stretch your tent curtains wide and not hold back; to lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.  His promise is that you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities (Isaiah 54). I want to partner with God in fulfillment of His will for my life, for the advancement of His Kingdom.  I hope you too will join me in living a life of faith, that puts no limits to what God can do.