SOMETHING VERY IMPOSSIBLE
THURSDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2021
One day as I was studying the Scriptures, I came across the timeless truth that it was impossible for Christ Jesus to be held bound by the power of death. What is so significant about the impossibility of death keeping Christ in its grip? Let's find out!
Reference: Acts 2:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV) "This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power."
With the help of godless Gentiles, Jesus was nailed to a cross and was killed. But God knew what would happen because His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed and crucified. Eventually God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, because it was IMPOSSIBLE for death to hold Him down. Acts 3:15 (NLT) says, "You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of the fact." This was Peter speaking in Solomon's Colonnade, rightly accusing the men of Israel for killing the Prince of life, which was actually God's mysterious plan.
Although the religious Jewish leaders were responsible for Jesus' death, because they demanded of the Romans that Jesus be put to death, everything was being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, which means that God had this as a plan before the world began. So it was possible for wicked hands to have crucified and slain Him, according to divine plan. Whether or not we blamed those who executed the divine plan of crucifying Christ, somehow incredible, it was God Himself that put Jesus to death to actualise a higher purpose through His death.
Are you surprised that God used the enemies of Jesus' ministry on earth to establish His ultimate purpose for mankind? Beloved, God can use anyone, anything and any situation to accomplish His plan. This is why your enemies' plans are very important to God because He can use the Devil's evil schemes to work for your good. Yes, God is indeed that powerful. But watch this: The enemy is still very limited when it comes to how God uses him for divine purpose. He is only as active, as instrumental and as detrimental as God allows Him to be.
Beloved, the enemy called "Satan" doesn't have any scheme or evil plot that God doesn't allow or know about. This is why He is very conditioned or constrained to observe slavish adherence to divine plan. Every time the Devil tries to advance His evil plan, he ends up advancing God's cause because God uses him favourably. In fact, He always has a role in divine script, depending on God's counsel and purposes. If those who executed God's plan concerning Christ's death had known what the glorious and eternal outcome would be, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord (1 Corinthians 2:8 NLT). So the Devil and his cohorts or agents can only execute certain vile operations which are limited and exercised under God's consent and discretion. He can't go beyond what God allows because He is always under God's control room.
Beloved, God raised Christ from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. "Impossible" means that the Devil's scheme had a defined limit in the divine plan. Death, which is the enemy's tool, is not allowed to hold Christ down in its power. Hear me, as a Christian, whatever unfavourable situation instigated by the enemy of your soul, which God allows to happen in your life, is the very role given to him to play and that is what God uses to work for your good (Romans 8:28).
Satan and his forces are simply a tool in God's hand to bring God's purpose to pass in your life. In other words, for God's power and dominion to be revealed in you and through you, the devil has a part to play. However, never ascribe any glory to the enemy, no matter what he throws at you because it is God that killed Jesus using the enemy's plot and then He raised Him from the death by reason of His sovereignty over all things. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 1:18.
Guided Prayer: Gracious Father, I thank you for the wisdom of your plan, the glory of your scheme of salvation, and for all that Christ did for me on the cross of Calvary. Your eternal glory has been revealed in Christ, in striking contrast to the public shame, disgrace and humiliation of His crucifixion. Through His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus rendered the Devil powerless and granted me the victory. Therefore, in deep admiration of your divine plan, I rejoice and enjoy all the benefits of my salvation in Jesus' Name, Amen!
