Newton’s third law is for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Obviously, Newton’s Laws of Motion are based in our natural world. Though we may function in this world, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies (cf. Ephesians 2:6 DBY). Thus, what may be limited to principle in the natural world may not be so in the spiritual realm.
It was the natural world that limited Nicodemus’ conversational mindset with Jesus as they spoke concerning the second birth. “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” he reasoned in the natural.
Months later Jesus addressed this spiritually limiting mindset with His mind-boggling statement:
“What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27 ESV).
A way to see this word of the Lord fulfilled is through prayer; through prayer what seems impossible to man is then possible with God!
In David’s thanksgiving prayer for God’s deliverance (Psalm 18) he used the word “then” twice, in verse 7 and in verse 15.
Then was used in verse 7, “Then the earth reeled and rocked…,” in response to David’s prayer as his mind’s eye probably envisioned God’s power as seen in the Exodus.
Spurgeon writes:
“There was no great space between the cry and its answer. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise but is swift to rescue his afflicted…Observe how the most solid and immovable things feel the force of supplication. Prayer has shaken houses, opened prison doors, and made stout hearts to quail. Prayer rings the alarm bell, and the Master of the house arises to the rescue, shaking all things beneath his tread.”
David cried unto the Lord in distress, then the Lord moved the earth; he called upon His name, as He came “swiftly on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 18:10).
Now notice the word to the Hebrews, “Let us then (italics mine) with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
Just as David’s prayer preceded the “then” in Psalm 18, the Lord’s high priesthood—and more specifically His sinless life and ability to sympathize with our weaknesses—paved the way for us to then draw near the throne of grace with boldness in prayer and then see the impossible become possible!
Take extra time today to pray boldly. Then be prepared for the second then of Psalm 18, “Then the channels of the sea were seen” (v. 15); that is, the deep bottoms were seen when the Red Sea was divided. It was an impossible act to the Israelites, cornered and trapped, but one that was possible with God!
