The Daily Truth: Your God Is Too Small
Day 1: Your God Is Too Small - Daily Devotions in Luke 1:26-38
Day 1: Your God Is Too Small
Scripture:
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- Luke 1:34-38
Reflection:
In Luke 1:26-38, we encounter the angel Gabriel delivering a message to Mary that is nothing short of astonishing—she, a young woman, would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, giving birth to the Savior of the world. But the heart of this passage is not just about Mary’s miraculous pregnancy; it reveals something crucial about our God—He does the impossible.
with all the love and conviction in my heart—our view of God is often too small. This doesn't mean that God is small, but rather that our understanding of Him is limited. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of His greatness, His power, or His love. So often, we define God by what we’ve experienced or understood so far, but He is so much bigger, more capable, and more wonderful than we can imagine.
I’m reminded of a story about a young boy who was travelling on a plane next to a theology professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school booklet when the professor, curious, asked him, “Tell me one thing God can do, and I’ll give you a sweet.” The boy thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, “Sir, if you can tell me one thing God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole handful of sweets!”
What a powerful response! This child grasped the vastness of God's ability in a way we often forget. God is unlimited and boundless, and we can never outgrow our awe of His greatness.
As Christians, we claim to serve a God for whom nothing is impossible. And yet, how often do we pray prayers or hold onto dreams that seem utterly unattainable? It's easy to let the word “impossible” creep into our vocabulary when faced with challenges—whether it’s a personal struggle, a long-term sickness, or broken relationships. But when we shrink our view of God, we diminish His power to work in our lives.
There is a powerful truth here: Nothing is impossible with God. Our perception of God is often too small. Just as Mary asked, “How will this be?” when confronted with the impossible task of giving birth as a virgin, we, too, often question how God will move in our situations. But the angel’s answer to her is the same to us: "For no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37).
Think about it—what in your life feels impossible today? Whether it’s freedom from addiction, healing from a long-term illness, peace in the midst of mental health struggles, restoration in broken relationships, or financial burdens that never seem to end—many of us carry something we think is beyond God’s reach. Maybe you’ve felt unworthy of His love or forgiveness, or you’ve given up hope that things can change.
Whatever it is, know this—God specializes in doing the impossible. His power is not limited by our understanding of what is possible. What may seem extraordinary or impossible to us is precisely the kind of situation God delights in transforming for His glory. He sees you, He hears you, and He is able to work in every situation.
Practical Application:
Take a moment today to reflect on the “impossible” areas of your life. Bring them before God, and ask Him to expand your vision of His power. Trust that the God who worked through ordinary people and circumstances in Scripture is still at work in your life. Don’t let the challenges you face dictate the size of your God. Instead, let the size of your God dictate how you view your challenges.
Perhaps there’s an area where you’ve been afraid to ask God for help because you think it's too small or too big for Him to handle. Remember, your God is not too small (or too big) for any situation. Bring everything before Him—nothing is impossible with God.
Prayer:
Father, I confess that I have often limited Your power in my life. I have allowed the word “impossible” to shape my faith and my prayers. Today, I come before You and ask that You expand my understanding of who You are. Show me your glory. Open my eyes to see that nothing is impossible with You. Help me to trust in Your ability to do the impossible, whether it’s salvation, help, healing, restoration, or breakthrough. I surrender every area of my life that I’ve held back from You. I believe in Your limitless power and Your perfect holy love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sermon Quote:
"If there is one word that should not be found in the vocabulary of a Christian, it is the word ‘impossible’."
This week’s daily devotions don’t have an accompanying sermon, but make sure to explore the many powerful and encouraging sermons on our YouTube channel—click here to watch!
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Grace and Peace,
Will
Pastor
Ridgeway Community Church, Didcot.