“We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

There is much happening in our world I don’t understand.

• I don’t understand the chaos of Afghanistan
• I don’t understand the devastation of the people of Haiti
• I don’t understand the division of people in our country, our congregation over things like the vaccine and masks
• The Taliban have been visiting Afghan Christians and telling them, “We know who you are. We will come back to get you.”

I don’t understand any of this. I don’t understand how any of this can turn out for the good. I don’t understand how the martyrdom and the senseless persecution of Afghan Christians by the Taliban can turn out for the good.

There is so much that is happening in our world that I don’t understand.

But here’s the thing. My job isn’t to understand. My job is to trust God.

Because God is at work to establish his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven whether I can see it or understand it. God’s work and purposes don’t depend on my understanding.

God declares:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:8-11).

I needed that. I needed this reminder.

God is good. God is at work whether I understand it or not. That’s not my job. My job is to trust God.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25).

What did Jesus mean when he said our verse of the day?

It is true that in the middle east the entry way into holy sites have a “door” where it is impossible for grown adults to enter without stooping down. Stooping down to enter is a symbolic representation of our humility that is required to enter that space.

This is true but it still misses the point.

The point is that whether its an entry way into holy sites or whether Jesus was referring to an actual eye of a needle, it’s impossible for a camel to fit there.

The main point is the impossibility of such an occurrence.

Salvation is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no way sinners like you and me can ever stop sinning. We might have fantastic intentions, but being sinless and a perfect keeper of God’s commands for the rest of our lives is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no amount of good that we could ever do to change the reality that we are sinners.

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility.

Well that’s a bummer. What are we supposed to do now?

Great question!

Look at what Jesus says right after our verse: “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility. But salvation, which is impossible for human beings, is absolutely possible with God.

This doesn’t mean salvation was easy. Salvation cost Jesus everything! But because of the cost paid by Jesus, salvation is available to all who confess their sins and believe Jesus is Lord.

Salvation is made possible in and through Jesus Christ.

Believe the good news. Believe in Jesus.

That which is impossible has been made possible by God himself.

“The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me” (2 Samuel 22:21).

Imagine Jesus praying the following:

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God.
All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

Now, look at the prayer again and imagine an adulterer, a sexual predator, a liar, a murderer praying these words.

These words are recorded as David’s song of praise at the end of his life. As David reflects on his life he sings these words as a praise to God.

How could David claim the following?

• Deal with me according to my righteousness?
• I have been rewarded according the the cleanness of my hands?
• I have kept the ways of the LORD?
• I am not guilty of turning from my God?
• I have not turned away from God’s decrees?
• I have been blameless?
• I have kept myself from sin?

Seriously?!?! You’ve got some gumption, David!!! How could any human being ever claim these words? They would have to be completely delusional. There is not one human being who could ever claim these words.

Except one. Jesus.

This is why sound theology is so important. This is called substitutionary atonement. Jesus took our place and paid the penalty for sin. Therefore, when God sees us, he cannot see us apart from seeing his Son who lives in us. When we ask for forgiveness and repent, Christ’s righteousness covers us and our sins are no longer visible.

This is what it means that Christ lives in me.

How could David say/sing such words? Because of Jesus. Because he is our Shepherd, our Lord, our Savior.