Anchor My Faith

Author: Stephen Weller
1,121 words, 6 minutes read time

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The God of Creation

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17 ESV)

When looking at this verse it would be fairly easy to write a lesson on the phrases contained in it, but when one goes back to the text from where it came, one has a much different feel for the verse. What is “Ah, Lord God!” in response to that caused this verse to be written?

At this time, Jerusalem was under siege by the army of the king of Babylon, who overcame them and carry them away into captivity (verses 1 – 5). Jeremiah was at that time instructed to buy a field from Hanamel the son of Shallum his uncle for the redemption price (verses 6 – 8). Jeremiah makes the purchase and then is further instructed by God to “Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” (verses 9 – 15).

God is making a promise that he will bring the people back into this land and once again “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought.” Jeremiah does as instructed and gives the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah and then he prays to the Lord, saying: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (verses 16 – 17).

Since the Lord God had the power to make the heavens and the earth, surly he would have the power to bring these people back into their land after a period of discipline. God is all powerful to do that which is according to his will. He is unable to do that which would oppose his will for then he would not be God. As an example, Jesus was sent to earth to live a life free from sin. Could Jesus decide to sin or decide not to go to the cross and die for us? No, he could not and still be God as he claimed.

We must be careful and not conclude that God has the power to do anything we want him to do for us. If we ask according to his will, he has the power to do it, but if the request is not according to his will, he will not do it, and cannot do it and be true to himself. We must be very careful when we encounter verses like this that say, “Nothing is too hard.”; or “Ask anything you wish.”; or “All things are possible.” Often times words like “nothing” and “anything” and “all” are used with meaning found within the context of the verse and should not thus be generalized.

Father it is amazing how often we separate verses from their original context, and standing by themselves they are sometimes actually false, but we continue to try to apply them to a given situation with varied results. In the process we degrade the value of the word in the eyes of those need its true message.  

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Summary Theme

Nothing Is Too Difficult for God

Summary Paragraph

Jeremiah 32:17 is a powerful declaration of faith in God’s unlimited power and sovereignty. As Jeremiah prays during a time of national crisis and impending judgment upon Judah, he acknowledges God as the Creator of heaven and earth, whose mighty power and outstretched arm brought all things into existence. Despite the seemingly impossible circumstances surrounding Jerusalem’s fall, Jeremiah affirms that nothing is too hard for the Lord. This verse reminds believers that God’s power is not limited by human weakness, difficult situations, or impossible obstacles. The God who created the universe continues to rule over it, accomplishing His purposes according to His wisdom and timing. Therefore, His people can trust Him completely, knowing that no challenge, need, or circumstance is beyond His ability to handle.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does Jeremiah’s description of God as Creator teach us about His power?

Answer:
Jeremiah begins by acknowledging that God made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. Creation itself is the greatest demonstration of God’s power. Everything that exists came into being because God spoke it into existence. If God can create the universe, sustain it, and govern it, then He certainly has the power to intervene in the affairs of individuals and nations. Jeremiah’s prayer reminds us that our confidence in God should be rooted in who He is. When we face challenges that seem overwhelming, we can remember that the Creator of all things is also our God. His power is unlimited, and His ability far exceeds human understanding.

2. Why is it important to remember that nothing is too difficult for God during times of trouble?

Answer:
Jeremiah spoke these words while Jerusalem was under threat of destruction and the future appeared hopeless. Humanly speaking, the situation seemed beyond repair. Yet Jeremiah chose to focus on God’s power rather than the circumstances around him. Believers today often encounter situations that seem impossible; health concerns, financial struggles, broken relationships, or spiritual challenges. Remembering that nothing is too difficult for God helps us maintain faith when circumstances tempt us to despair. This truth does not mean God will always act according to our expectations, but it assures us that He is fully capable of accomplishing His perfect will. Faith grows when we trust God’s power more than we fear our problems.

3. How should the truth of Jeremiah 32:17 influence our prayer life?

Answer:
This verse encourages believers to pray with confidence and expectation. Jeremiah approached God with reverence, recognizing His greatness before presenting his concerns. Likewise, our prayers should begin with an understanding of God’s character and power. When we remember that nothing is too hard for the Lord, we are freed from limiting our prayers to what seems possible from a human perspective. We can bring our greatest burdens, deepest needs, and most difficult situations before Him, knowing that He is able to do far more than we can imagine. At the same time, this verse teaches humility, reminding us that God’s wisdom accompanies His power. Therefore, we pray boldly while also trusting His perfect plan and timing.