It’s What He Does

Have you ever played Sudoku? It’s a puzzle of numbers that requires deductive reasoning to solve. I would like to think I am quite good at using deductive reasoning and should be good at solving these puzzles. But I’m not. The puzzles are rated easy, medium, hard, and very difficult.  

Every time I work on a puzzle, I think to myself, “There must be something I’m missing because I can’t seem to graduate to the next level.” Come to find out; there’s a science behind the different levels of Sudoku. Some day I might explore that science, but for now, I enjoy playing and feel fulfilled when a puzzle is solved. 

I found out something interesting about this game. Want to know what the highest, most challenging level of Sudoku is? Miracle Sudoku. I suspect this category is for a Sudoku elite master because it would take a miracle to solve it. But I’ll come back to this. 

I’ve been thinking about famous artists, like Michelangelo. He was a brilliant artist who mastered poetry, sculpting, and painting. His works are world-renown. Think about this:

Historians say

It took almost a year to sculpt “Pieta.”

It took over two years to sculpt “David.”

It took four to five years for the artist to paint the Sistine Chapel.

The length of time it took to complete his many works didn’t reflect his incompetency as an artist. It reflected his genius and forethought. People didn’t question his artistic skills because the work was long and tedious. Could you imagine if, as the work dragged on, people began to doubt his artistic ability?  

Don’t be silly. It was Michelangelo. He was an artist. Art was what he did, and he did it with genius. Onlookers were eager to see his talent poured out in colors and imagery, and his works didn’t disappoint. The artwork on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel took the longest and was the most remarkable display of the artistry of Michelangelo. It could be said it was his greatest accomplishment. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about 2022, wondering what it would hold, what I want to ask God for. Then my thoughts turned to the people I’ve been lifting in prayer, people whose lives need a touch from the Lord. Honestly, when considering the waywardness of some, I’ve been tempted to give up. There’s that nagging question in my mind, “Are they just too far gone? I’ve been praying for them for years, and I’ve seen no softening to the Gospel.” They seem like a “tough case.” Maybe “too tough?”

A few days ago, while considering this very thing, I felt God impress something profound on my heart in regard to His masterful work. 

Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah prophesied of the work Jesus would come to do for mankind.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (Jesus) because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

• Jesus came to bring good news to the poor.

• Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted.

• Jesus came to proclaim liberty to captives.

• Jesus came to open the prison for those who are bound.  

He set captives free

from poverty of soul

from grief and despair

from all forms of bondage.

He. Sets. Captives. Free.

It’s what He does. 

So instead of doubting the possibility of God’s work in a loved-ones life, wouldn’t it make more sense, when the work is long, and the waiting continues, to believe He’s doing some of His most extraordinary work? Why would any artist not want to display their artistry to the fullest? 

Why do we limit the Lord? No matter how hopeless the situation, no matter how many locked doors stand between Him and the imprisoned, He can break through. He can set them free. It’s what He does. It’s what He loves to do.

Don’t doubt the Master. Those wandering the farthest from Him provide the greatest opportunity to show His strength. And, friend, if you’re burdened to pray for them, He’s invited you to be a part of His work through your prayers. Don’t give up! Don’t stop praying.  

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16b

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

Matthew 18:12-13

5But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6

Friends, Christ is not limited in any way in the redemption of souls. He’s not stuck on the intermediate level of difficulty. It seems we have no problem believing He will work when conditions seem doable. And maybe you’re saying just now, “Yeah, but this would take a miracle!” That’s good news because He’s the Miracle Worker (remember the mention of Miracle Sudoku). He’s the Master Artist. Nothing is too hard for Him. He can do it. It’s what He does.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Think about your loved one. Renew your commitment today to pray earnestly for their deliverance and trust the work of Master. He is working. He is setting captives free. 

Because it’s what He does.