05062023 A Rock So Big

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who has all power. Nothing is too hard for Him. I’m sure you have all heard the contradictory question, “If God can do anything, can He make a rock so big He can’t lift it?” Such a fallacious question doesn’t really warrant an answer, but if we were to give an answer, it would be, “Yes, He can … and then He can lift the rock.”

I have discovered a parallel question, and it involves leviathan. Job 41 describes this fearsome creature. No one can catch this creature (v. 1). No one can subjugate this creature (v. 2). No one can tame this creature (v. 3). No one can domesticate this creature (v. 4). No one can make a pet of this creature (v. 5). No one can harvest this creature for food (v. 6). No one can successfully attack this creature (v. 7). In fact, those who try it once will forever remember and will learn the folly of the attempt (v. 8). No one even hopes to conquer leviathan, and those who might have aspirations give up when they see him (v. 9). No one even dares to stir him up (v. 10).

God describes leviathan’s powerful physique (vs. 12-24) – his fierce teeth, his tightly scaled armor, his fiery breath, his strong neck, his firm muscles, and his stout heart. Even the bravest and strongest men fear him (v. 25). No weapons are sufficient to bring him down (vs. 26-29). He even impacts the earth and water through which he moves (vs. 30-32). There is no other beast like him, and he fears absolutely nothing (vs. 33-34).

So here’s the question. Can God make a beast so fierce that it cannot be controlled? The answer is “Yes … and then He can control it.” Psalm 74:14 declares, “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” God can conquer this impossible-to-conquer beast. Imagine being the people in this verse. After God subjugates the beast, the people get to eat its meat. “Hmm,” they say. “I wonder what this meat tastes like. No one has ever eaten it before.”

This concept leads to all sorts of other similar questions. Can God make a situation that is too difficult to bear? Yes … and then He can give us the strength to bear it. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee” (II Corinthians 12:9). Can God present a difficulty too complex to figure out? Yes … and then He can clarify it with His wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him” (James 1:5). Can God raise up a challenge that is beyond reason? Yes … and then He can reveal the purposes. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20). Can God allow a situation that can lead to no possible good? Yes … and then He can orchestrate it for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Can God oversee a situation with absolutely no hope? Yes … and then He can provide the hope. “All hope that we should be saved was then taken away. … Be of good cheer: for I believe God. … They escaped all safe to land” (Acts 27:20, 25, 44).

Are there situations too hard for us? All the time! But not one of them is too hard for God. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). All things are under His power and control, and none of them will extend any further than He determines or allows. In the end, God makes all things right – often on this earth and surely in eternity. Certainly, not one of life’s impossibilities can negate our eternal salvation. “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:4-5). Furthermore, the horrific temporal impact of the difficulties will melt into oblivion when we see Him. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Is the unconquerable leviathan rearing his powerful head in your life? Fear not. God can conquer him. Look forward to the rare delicacy of that delicious steak.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA