"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
I. TAKE IT AS THE QUESTION WHICH GOD ASKS OF MAN.
1. Remonstrance. The history of Divine manifestations proves that nothing is demanded of faith which is not justified by the bestowments of the past.
2. Invitation. We connect the question with the promise. He opens the gate of life; is it too hard for him to give us the victory? "At the time appointed" his word will be fulfilled. He would have us rest on himself. "Believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder," &c. What he is, what he says, are blended into one in the true faith of his waiting children.
II. TAKE THE QUESTION AS ONE WHICH MEN ASK OF ONE ANOTHER.
1. When they set forth the goodness of Divine truth. The possibility of miracles. The hardness of the world's problems no justification of unbelief.
2. When they proclaim a gospel of supernatural gifts, a salvation not of man, but of God. Why should we doubt conversion? Why should a regenerated, renewed nature be so often mocked at?
3. When they would encourage one another to persevere in Christian enterprise. The methods may be old, but the grace is ever new. The world may laugh, but the true believer should see all things possible. The times are cur measures. Eternity is God's.—R.