Specialize in the Impossible
We are called to trust in God's power to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and accomplish things that others say cannot be done.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the theme 'The hill country shall be thine' from Joshua 17:18, emphasizing the importance of seeking higher ground in our spiritual journey. He encourages moving beyond limitations and obstacles, praying for others, and tapping into the power of faith to overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Cowman highlights that God equips us with the strength to conquer the 'forest-covered steeps' in our lives, revealing that difficulties are opportunities for God to showcase His miraculous work through our unwavering faith.
Text
"The hill country shall be thine" (Josh. 17:18, RV).
There is always room higher up. When the valleys are full of Canaanites, whose iron chariots withstand your progress, get up into the hills, occupy the upper spaces. If you can no longer work for God, pray for those who can. If you cannot move earth by your speech, you may move Heaven. If the development of life on the lower slopes is impossible, through limitations of service, the necessity of maintaining others, and such-like restrictions, let it break out toward the unseen, the eternal, the Divine.
Faith can fell forests. Even if the tribes had realized what treasures lay above them, they would hardly have dared to suppose it possible to rid the hills of their dense forest-growth. But as God indicated their task, He reminded them that they had power enough. The visions of things that seem impossible are presented to us, like these forest-covered steeps, not to mock us, but to incite us to spiritual exploits which would be impossible unless God had stored within us the great strength of His own indwelling.
Difficulty is sent to reveal to us what God can do in answer to the faith that prays and works. Are you straitened in the valleys? Get away to the hills, live there; get honey out of the rock, and wealth out of the terraced slopes now hidden by forest. --Daily Devotional Commentary
Got any rivers they say are uncrossable,
Got any mountains they say 'can't tunnel through'?
We specialize in the wholly impossible,
Doing the things they say you can't do.
--Song of the Panama builders
Sermon Outline
- Specialize in the Impossible
- Faith can accomplish the impossible
- Difficulty is sent to reveal God's power
- Get away to the hills and live there
- Get honey out of the rock and wealth out of the terraced slopes
- Trust in God's power to overcome obstacles
Key Quotes
“We specialize in the wholly impossible, Doing the things they say you can't do.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Faith can fell forests.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Difficulty is sent to reveal to us what God can do in answer to the faith that prays and works.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We must trust in God's power to guide us and provide us with the resources we need to overcome challenges.
- Faith gives us the strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and accomplish things that others say cannot be done.
- We must step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's power to guide us.