TEXT:

‘God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!’ (Ephesians 3:20 MSG)

Our text says, ‘God can do anything’ and He can! This truth needs to be our starting point for the New Year. My goal is to see God do more through me in 2026, not just for me. When I read the life-stories of the great men and women of God, I realise I am barely scratching the surface of what’s possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, lest I sink into self-condemnation, I need to rejoice over all the good things I saw and experienced in 2025. The goal of this teaching is to lift our faith expectations for the coming year.

1. We can face the same type of problem repeatedly

When we do, it’s easy to think, “What have I done wrong?” I said those very words when the church I was pastoring faced another financial challenge. “Lord, didn’t we learn the lesson from last time?” I prayed. What I didn’t realise was we had correctly overcome that previous difficulty, but a new challenge faced us. God showed me from His word how David ended up fighting and killing five giants, all related to Goliath (See 2 Samuel 21:15-22). Each new battle ended with a dead giant, until there were no more to face. It wasn’t the same battle; it was a similar one.

Once I understood what God showed me, faith rose up and I asked God for double; the amount we were down in the finances and the same amount again. God wonderfully answered and I received double!

If what you faced and overcame in 2025 or earlier, comes back to challenge you again, remember it’s a new battle. God will help you overcome again because He is able!

2. A repeated problem is another opportunity for God to show Himself strong on our behalf – ‘His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”’ (Mark 8:4 NLT)

The disciples said “How?” instead of saying, “You fed the 5000 men plus women and children, you can easily feed 4000!” Why is it the miracles of yesterday don’t always translate into faith for today? The disciples had the same doubts arise. It doesn’t glorify God when we say, “How?” instead of saying, “God is able!”

Unbelief plagued the Children of Israel in the wilderness. The miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the Red Sea crossing weren’t enough to fill them with faith. Soon they were complaining about no water (See Exodus 15:22-26). A new crisis was a new opportunity for divine provision. Instead, it became a new opportunity for moaning, criticising and complaining. What’s our reaction to a repeated problem? Will it be the response of faith or unbelief?

3. God loves to handle repeated problems in different ways

Jesus had different approaches when ministering to the sick. Some touched the hem of His garment. To others He simply spoke the word of faith and power. Other times He laid His hands on the sick person or smeared mud on their eyes and told them to go and wash. He fed the 5000 with five loaves and two small fish, with twelve baskets full of leftover scraps. To feed the 4000 He used seven loaves and a few small fish,  with seven large baskets of leftover scraps.

Moses was told to strike the rock once with his rod and water would gush out. The next time, God told him to only speak to the rock, and the same thing would happen. In his anger and frustration, Moses struck the rock twice. That disobedience cost him his place in the Promised Land (See Exodus 17:1-7 & Numbers 20:1-13).

David won a battle against the Philistines. When they came against him a second time, David asked God if he should use the same strategy as the first victory. God’s answer was to use a different plan, but it was just as effective. His asking God what to do was the key to another victory (See 2 Samuel 5:17-25).

It’s so easy to think God will meet today’s need in the same way as He did previously, especially if He used a person to be the answer. Don’t have a preconceived idea how the answer will come. Instead, just start praising Him for the answer and He will show you what to do.

4. Let problems bring out the best in us

Three responses will make it easier for God to answer and help keep us sweet!

A. Praise – ‘In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

It doesn’t say praise God for everything. Just for the fact that God is a present help in the time of trouble. Praise will help prevent us from becoming bitter.

B. Joy – ‘Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy’ (James 1:2 NLT).

It was joy that enabled Jesus to face the cross. ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:2).

C. Faith – ‘Caleb reassured the people as they stood before Moses. “Let us go up at once and possess it,” he said, “for we are well able to conquer it!”’ (Number 13:30 TLB).

Caleb saw the possibility; the others only saw the problem. Guess who entered the Promised Land. It was the one who had faith! Why is it two people can look at the same thing but one sees faith and the other only fear?  

Make 2026 a year of faith. When you begin to doubt, say, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief’ (Mark 9:24).