"Nothing Can Be Done?"

“Nothing Can Be Done?”

When Karen and I moved to Lakeland we went to several agencies for quotes to secure insurance on our house and cars. One long-established firm offered a price which was lower than the others so we took out the appropriate policies. About a month later we received a substantial additional bill for our house coverage. When I questioned the added charge I was told that the firm’s representative had checked the wrong box indicating the type of house construction. Since the agency had made the error and we had based our decision to purchase on it I felt they should absorb the added cost for the first year which they refused to do saying, “Nothing can be done.” I responded that something could be done but they chose not to do it. Needless to say, our insurance is now with a different carrier.

Since our renewal date is approaching I thought about this incident and realized how often my lack of faith implies God is powerless to act. Jesus’ disciples showed a shortage of trust when they were faced with a hungry crowd. After telling Jesus they had insufficient funds to meet the people’s need Andrew brought a boy with a small lunch to Him with the words, “…How far will (it) go among so many?” (John 6:9). Despite their “nothing can be done” perception Jesus multiplied the bread and fish and all were satisfied. Since “…without faith it is impossible to please God….” (Hebrews 11:6) could it be it was this boy’s faith that prompted Jesus to act?

Is there a time that God says, “Nothing can be done.”? I can think of two such circumstances. The first is when He’s not trusted. When the citizens of Nazareth, His home town, opposed Him His work was hindered (“…He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”—Matthew 13:58). The other involves our “good works”. We may think we’ve done enough worthy acts to commend us to God but He says through His prophet, “…All our righteous acts are like filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6). But God knew one more thing could be done and He did it by sending Christ to earth as “…the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2). Nothing more can be done by my efforts—Jesus died once to take away my sins (see Hebrews 9:28). And I thank God nothing more is needed!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan