Nothing Is Too Hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17)

2026 Bible Reading: Jeremiah 32–36

PRINCIPLE: Obey God confidently because nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17)

“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

Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian army, and Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard because he had prophesied that the city would fall (Jeremiah 32:1–5).

During this national crisis, God instructed Jeremiah to purchase a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel. Although buying property appeared pointless when the land was about to be conquered, Jeremiah obeyed. He completed the legal transaction and preserved the deeds. The purchase of this specific field became a prophetic sign that houses, fields, and vineyards would again be possessed throughout the land after God restored His people (Jeremiah 32:6–15).

After obeying, Jeremiah prayed. He first affirmed God’s sovereign power, covenant faithfulness, and mighty acts in Israel’s history. He then expressed the tension he could not yet understand: “Yet you, O Lord GOD, have said to me, ‘Buy the field for money and get witnesses’—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans” (Jeremiah 32:25). Although Jeremiah did not yet understand why God commanded him to purchase the field when Jerusalem was about to fall, he had already obeyed. His unanswered questions did not become an excuse to delay or disregard God’s command (Jeremiah 32:16–25).

Jeremiah did not begin his prayer with what confused him. He began with what he knew to be true about God. Before describing the Babylonian siege or expressing his difficulty in understanding the purpose of purchasing the field, he directed his attention to God’s sovereign authority and unlimited power. His opening declaration in Jeremiah 32:17 established the foundation upon which both his obedience and his questions rested.

Jeremiah began, “Ah, Lord GOD!” The exclamation “Ah” (Hebrew: ʾăhāh) expressed fear, distress, or deep emotion. Jeremiah did not approach God casually or pretend that the circumstances were easy to understand. He brought his perplexity reverently before the sovereign Lord (ʾădōnāy) and the covenant LORD (YHWH). His prayer acknowledged both God’s authority over all things and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

The emphatic expression “It is you” directed attention exclusively to God. The verb “made” (ʿāśîtā, Qal) identified God as the One who had brought the heavens and the earth into existence. Jeremiah evaluated Jerusalem’s siege and the promised restoration in light of creation. The God who created everything was not limited by the conditions confronting His people.

God accomplished creation “by your great power and by your outstretched arm.” The word “power” (kōaḥ) referred to strength, ability, and capacity, especially God’s power to accomplish what He determined. Jeremiah described this power as “great” (gādôl), emphasizing its surpassing magnitude. God’s “outstretched” arm (hanneṭûyāh, Qal passive participle) pictured His power actively extended to intervene and accomplish His purposes.

The same expression recalled how God had delivered Israel from Egypt through signs, wonders, and overwhelming acts of judgment (Deuteronomy 4:34; Jeremiah 32:21). Jeremiah therefore appealed to the God whose power had already been demonstrated in both creation and redemption.

Jeremiah concluded, “Nothing is too hard for you.” The expression “too hard” (yippālēʾ, Niphal imperfect), from pālāʾ, described something extraordinary, wonderful, or difficult to accomplish. The word “nothing” translated the combination of the negative particle “not” (lōʾ) and “anything” or “any matter” (kol-dābār). Together, these words expressed a comprehensive denial: no matter, circumstance, or act was too difficult for God.

Jerusalem’s restoration appeared humanly impossible, but it presented no difficulty to the God who had created the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm.

Theological Reflection

Jeremiah 32:17 teaches that God possesses unlimited power. He created the heavens and the earth and sovereignly rules over everything He has made. No circumstance can exhaust His strength, defeat His purposes, or prevent Him from accomplishing what He has determined. Nothing God purposes to do lies beyond His ability to accomplish (Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37).

Because God possesses unlimited power, His promises are completely trustworthy. He never promises anything that He lacks the ability to fulfill. Circumstances may appear to contradict His Word, and fulfillment may seem delayed, but God will accomplish everything He has promised according to His perfect purpose and timing (Numbers 23:19; Romans 4:20–21).

Confidence in God’s power and promises enables His people to obey without complete understanding. Jeremiah did not understand why God commanded him to purchase a field while Jerusalem was under siege, but he obeyed because God had spoken. His purchase demonstrated confidence that God would restore His people to the land. Genuine faith obeys what God has revealed, trusts Him with what He has not explained, and remains confident that He will fulfill His promises (Jeremiah 32:42–44; Proverbs 3:5–6; Hebrews 11:8).

God has the power to fulfill every promise He has made. Therefore, when His commands are difficult or His purposes remain unclear, obey what He has revealed and trust Him with what you cannot yet understand. Nothing is too hard for God.

Applications

First, trust God’s unlimited power.

“Nothing is too hard for you.” – Jeremiah 32:17b

The God who created the heavens and the earth possesses unlimited power. No difficulty can exhaust His strength, no opposition can defeat His purposes, and no circumstance can prevent Him from accomplishing what He has determined.

Bring every impossible situation before God in prayer. Refuse to measure His ability by human limitations. Depend upon His power, submit to His sovereign will, and trust Him to accomplish what pleases Him.

Second, stand on God’s faithful promises.

“…he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, ²¹ fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” – Romans 4:20a–21

God’s promises remain completely trustworthy because He possesses the power to fulfill them. Circumstances may appear to contradict His Word, and fulfillment may seem delayed, but God will accomplish everything He has promised according to His perfect purpose and timing.

Anchor your confidence in what God has declared in His Word. Do not allow difficult circumstances or prolonged waiting to weaken your faith. Continue believing His promises and patiently trust His perfect timing.

Third, obey God despite confusion.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

Jeremiah obeyed God’s command to purchase the field even though he did not fully understand its purpose. His obedience demonstrated confidence that God would restore His people to the land. Genuine faith obeys what God has revealed and trusts Him with what He has not yet explained.

Obey every command God has made clear in His Word. Do not use unanswered questions as an excuse to delay or disregard His instructions. Demonstrate your confidence in God’s future work by obeying Him faithfully today and entrusting every outcome to Him.

Prayer

Father God, thank You that You created the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. Forgive us when we measure Your ability by our circumstances or allow delayed answers to weaken our faith.

Help us stand firmly on Your promises, knowing that You possess the power to fulfill everything You have declared. When Your commands are difficult or Your purposes remain unclear, enable us to obey without delay. Keep unanswered questions from becoming excuses for disobedience.

Teach us to trust what You have revealed and entrust to You what we cannot yet understand. May our obedience demonstrate confidence in Your power, faithfulness, and future work. Strengthen us to do what You have commanded and trust You completely with every outcome.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.