There is Nothing too Hard For God
May 31, 2019
Commentary
After completing the legal documents for the land he had purchased (v. 16), Jeremiah responded with prayer and praise. Though Jerusalem was under threat and the future looked uncertain, he turned his attention to God. He declared, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (v. 17, NKJV). Jeremiah knew that God is all-powerful and able to do whatever He purposes. The God who created all things is not limited by human weakness. As Jeremiah prayed, he reflected on God’s faithful dealings throughout history and remembered His mighty works among His people (vv. 18–24). God had shown mercy, performed miracles, delivered Israel from Egypt, and given them the promised land. By recalling these truths, Jeremiah reminded himself that nothing is beyond the power of God.
Yet Jeremiah still struggled in his heart to understand God’s command to buy a field while Jerusalem was under siege (vv. 25–26). From a human perspective, the purchase seemed pointless. The city was about to fall to Bab-ylon, and the enemy would soon occupy the land. Though he obeyed, he wrestled with questions about God’s plan.
In verse 27, God answered Jeremiah’s prayer and addressed his doubts. The Lord declared, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” God repeated the same truth Jeremiah had spoken in his prayer. The message was clear: the God who created the heavens and the earth could certainly fulfill His promises. When life does not make sense, and God’s plans seem difficult to understand, we can remember that nothing is too big or hard for Him. His power and faithfulness are greater than any problem we face.
Application
What situation in my life seems impossible, and have I brought it to God in prayer? Do I truly believe that nothing is too hard for God? Am I trusting God’s power or relying mainly on my own understanding? What worry, fear, or doubt do I need to place in God’s hands? How can I obey God faithfully even when I do not fully understand His plan?
Jeremiah 32:16–27 (NET)
16 “After I had given the copies of the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, 17 ‘Oh, Sovereign Lord, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you! 18 You show unfailing love to thousands. But you also punish children for the sins of their parents. You are the great and powerful God whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19 You plan great things and you do mighty deeds. You see everything people do. You reward each of them for the way they live and for the things they do. 20 You did miracles and amazing deeds in the land of Egypt that have had lasting effect. By this means you gained both in Israel and among humankind a renown that lasts to this day. 21 You used your mighty power and your great strength to perform miracles and amazing deeds and to bring great terror on the Egyptians. By this means you brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt. 22 You kept the promise that you swore on oath to their ancestors. You gave them a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 But when they came in and took possession of it, they did not obey you or live as you had instructed them. They did not do anything that you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them. 24 Even now siege ramps have been built up around the city in order to capture it. War, starvation, and disease are sure to make the city fall into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. Lord, you threatened that this would happen. Now you can see that it is already taking place. 25 The city is sure to fall into the hands of the Babylonians. Yet, in spite of this, you, Sovereign Lord, have said to me, “Buy that field with silver and have the transaction legally witnessed.”’”
26 The Lord’s message came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all humankind. There is, indeed, nothing too difficult for me.
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