“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: ‘Look, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” vs26-27

This is the gospel: is anything too hard for the Lord? Is the salvation of sinners, whom He’s chastened, too hard? Is it impossible for Him to recover us, though we’ve suffered? When we’ve been reduced to nothing and exposed as having no strength, is He able to lift us up and keep us from falling [Jude 24-25]?

The gospel is the message of an unfailing, all powerful God. Put your trust in Him.

First, with man, it is impossible. Man cannot save himself. He is corrupt, ruined, and broken. He is chastened and STILL doesn’t learn, but God is able to turn him, give him a new heart, and put the fear of God in his soul [Isa 57:17-18]. He’s able to keep us near the cross, because salvation is of the Lord and by the power of His Spirit: It doesn’t wait on man or rely on him; it doesn’t need man’s righteousness, goodness, or will power. All is God’s gift, and He is mighty to save [Isa 63:1].

Resurrecting Christ and sending the Spirit proves His power. Only believe.

Secondly, God saves because He forgives sins! What can keep us out of the new covenant and away from mercy if sins are forgiven? What could possibly exclude us? Is it unbelief? He paid for the sin of unbelief, so nothing separates God’s elect from the mercy that He has promised.

Payment God cannot twice demand—

First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,

And then again at mine.

-Toplady

He paid for all our sins - backsliding, disobedience, pornography, adultery, and lying - before He ever called us. In fact, He knew what HORRID SINNERS we’d be before choosing us in His love.

He didn’t love us because we’re wonderful or better than others; it was because of His own love - the most precious thing in the world - revealed to us in Jesus Christ, the Son of His love, the Gift that He gave to prove Himself glorious.

Nothing excludes the poor sinner who believes.

Thirdly, faith is in God Himself! We are not trusting OUR ABILITY to save ourselves or walk uprightly! We’re not trusting our ability to believe or overcome! We’re trusting the God of the Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ, and His promise: That is what salvation is; it is believing God, just as Abraham believed the promise when he was an idolater, and then he went into the Promised Land.

Gen 12:1-5, “So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran”

It is not my will power, but His, and this is the confidence that I need to rest in a Rock that’s higher than me, more secure, and more fulfilling!

Confidence in man is like a broken tooth, a bone out of joint, or leaning on a thorn bush: It hurts. Confidence in God is sweet peace, and faith brings forth fruit.

Let us praise, honor, and adore Him. Let us sing to His name, and brag on our covenant keeping God. He will not fail us, and having hope in Him, we’re established.