“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
Epicurus
When you think of God, what comes to mind? Do you believe God is able to turn things around for you? Do you believe he can enable you to have a child? Ephesians 3:20 says, “God can do anything, you know— far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” (MSG). You read right. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, including changing your situation, healing infirmities such as multiple fibroids, giving new wombs to replace infirmed or surgically removed ones, and even energizing and increasing sperms. I've read heavenly encounters where different body parts of different sizes are prepared in heaven and waiting to be delivered. Of what use are all these provisions, if God is not willing to do these miracles for us?
If God is able to do far more than we imagine, why do we not ask and believe Him for such things? The problem is usually not a disbelief in God's ability. The challenge has often been our perception of His willingness to do it for us. Maybe God can and He will do it for Brother or Sister so-and-so. Maybe He would do it for the mighty generals of faith but not for an ordinary Christian like me. After all, I am not as good a Christian; I am still learning to be strong in faith; I haven't been consistent enough; I am even not worthy enough. Such was the situation the leper we read of in Matthew 8 found himself in.
Reading the entire account, we can safely deduce that this leper was an Israelite. He was most likely one of God's covenant people but his circumstances made him feel unqualified for healing, the bread of the children in God's household of Israel. He was conscious that Jesus is able to heal him, but he was not sure that Jesus was willing because of his leprosy. In those days, lepers were not allowed to stay within the community because of the highly contagious nature of this incurable disease. Back then, leprosy was a sentence of hopelessness and lepers would just wait for their skins to wither and their limbs to gradually atrophy. They lived without any hope of healing or wholeness but, worst of all, the seclusion and exclusion from society damaged their sense of worth and belonging.
In the long wait for children, there are low moments when individuals may feel this sense of hopelessness and exclusion too. They may feel sidelined by peers with whom they can no longer relate because they do not have parenting experiences. They may not find people who understand their frustrations and care to stand in faith with them through this phase. In cases where medical reports have suggested complications beyond repair or multiple failures have been encountered, their chances of breakthrough seem to dwindle with each passing day. With these internal struggles and external societal pressure, many couples feel their cases are hopeless and they wonder if God is willing to do something about their situation. Like the leper, many couples have read and heard accounts of Jesus' wonder-working power displayed in other lives. Though these testimonies have whet their desire for a supernatural intervention, they are wondering if God is willing to address their particular case.
As Pastor Joseph Prince said “the leper believed in God’s omnipotence, but he was not sure if God’s heart was one of love and unmerited favor toward him". Despite this uncertainty, this leper of whom we read made a bold move to approach Jesus. He was not allowed within meters of large groups of 'clean' people but he dared to reach the Master with his query. To his pleasant amazement, Jesus said he was not only able but willing to heal him and make Him clean. You too most definitely believe in God’s power, but you are probably unsure of God’s heart toward you with regards to childbirth. You know God can, but maybe you're not sure He is willing. Will you let uncertainty prevent you from reaching out for the help He alone can offer? Does this account not give you assurance that God is willing to give you a child?
In our previous bulletin, we learnt about those who overcame the accuser of the brethren. We saw the instrumentality of the blood of the Lamb and the utterance of their testimony in their victory. The other weapon they had was their ability to take risks: "And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die" (Revelations 12:11 b). They had a good reason to take this risk: the Lamb they followed had laid down His life and proven that the grave will not have the final say. Jesus had risen from the dead and they could trust His resurrection power to restore them to eternal life, even if they died. For you and I too, Christ has left us strong reasons to believe that He is able and willing to do the seemingly impossible for us. If you would believe that nothing is impossible for Him and that He is willing to fulfill His promise that none of his covenant people will be barren, you will experience His supernatural outcome.
As you trust the power of Jesus' blood and stand on testimonies of the impossible things He has done in the path, will you take the step of faith and approach His throne for your children. You have a High Priest who understands the emotions you cannot even express, he empathizes with the fears of disappointment that the voice of doubt whispers to you. Yet, through Apostle Paul, He admonishes us to "approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Hebrews 4:16, TPT. In the weeks and months ahead, would you hold fast your conviction that He can and will make you a living testimony?
Victoria Orenze has a song entitled GOD CAN that I will recommend that you stay tuned to in this season. On YouTube, she beautifully captures a description that resonates with today's message: "these songs [were] given at a time when I needed breakthrough financially and health-wise. It has been from one testimony to the other. There is nothing our God cannot do. This song is called GOD CAN and as you listen, worship and pray with it, expect a miracle and know that God can and He will come through for you."
Once again, I encourage you to confront any sense that you do not merit the goodness and mercy God showed Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth with this truth:
If God gave up His only begotten son for you, He is more than able and willing to give you a child. Today, Jesus is saying to you: "I am more than willing for you to have children."
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:45, Romans 8:31-34