Who Can Stop Him?

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Northern lights

“He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Dan. 4:35b,c; ESV).

These were Nebuchadnezzar’s words. He spoke them after he had gone through God’s furnace. He uttered them after he had eaten grass like an animal for seven years, wandering the earth as an insane man. His understanding returned to him, and spontaneous praise to the only One worthy immediately began to flow from his mouth. The Almighty had stripped him of his conceit.

I find tremendous comfort in his words. They speak to my heart about God’s ability to have His way with me. Today, Holy Spirit wants to comfort you with this same truth. Listen with your spirit: God is able to have His way with you.

Not only is He able, but no one can stop Him. No one can hinder Him from finishing the good work He began in your life. No one can hold back His hand from working in you that which is pleasing to Him. Not even you.

Consider this. Nebuchadnezzar was not even seeking God. He was not looking for nor desirous of inner transformation. He was not laying his life on the altar and asking for God’s fire to consume it. And yet, God decided to humble him. Once He made that decision, there was no force in heaven or on earth or under the earth that was going to impede what He had purposed to do. Arrogant Nebuchadnezzar went into His furnace, and came out seven years later, a humble man.

How much more is God able to accomplish inside of you what He desires? If you are reading a blog like this, it is likely that you have actually asked Him to work in your life. If you have, believe me, He has heard and received that prayer. He has recorded it indelibly in His heart. If He does as He pleases in a pagan king’s soul, how much more will He accomplish the purposes of His heart in response to your cry? In the surrendered depths of you, in the hungry core of you, who can stop the Lord of Glory? Who can hold back His hand?

As we meditate on this liberating truth, there is one more pertinent phrase in our verse for today that I did not include above. It starts out, “And all the people of the earth are as nothing…” (v. 35a, BBE). This means the following: not even the billions of people on the earth, all put together, are any kind of force that could even begin to inhibit the purposes of God. We are as nothing.

What beautiful comfort to be found in that thought! It means that my weaknesses, and yours, are as nothing to God. If our hearts are after God, the sum of our weaknesses and failings and flaws and faults and shortcomings and stumblings can do absolutely nothing to stop what He has set out to do in our lives. If we have wholeheartedly asked Him to have His way in us, He will. He unquestionably will.

Have you been afraid that some frailty in you would keep you from entering the fullness of God’s best for your destiny? Let that fear be banished forever. Who, or what, could stop the Lord of Glory from doing in your heart of hearts according to His good pleasure? Nothing can hold back His hand!

As Nebuchadnezzar concluded with his last words recorded in the Holy Book: “…and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (v. 37, ESV). Expand that thought:

  • Those who struggle with lying, He is able to make honest.
  • Those who struggle with anger, He is able to make patient.
  • Those who struggle with selfishness, He is able to make generous.
  • Those who struggle with insecurity, He is able to make bold.
  • Those who struggle with __________________, He is able…

You fill in the blank. He is able. Rest deeply into those words. They are for you. He is able. Who can stop the Lord of Glory? Who can hold back His hand?

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How does our willingness play into God’s ability to transform our lives? I’d love to hear your thoughts about this!

 

 

 

19 thoughts on “Who Can Stop Him?”

  1. Absolutely amazing truth to this post and in God’s love for us and I truly believe that he can truly change you in every aspect of your life even if you resist or doubt it.
    I awoke 24 years ago on April 7th 1997 and took my first drink of the day and poured it down the sink not because I wanted to or had any desire to stop drinking but I truly believe that God wanted me to change and I am so eternally grateful for the gift that he gave me, the freedom and clarity and my life back.
    May your life be blessed as much as mine has been. 🙏🤗

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    1. Aw thank you so much, Paul! What an AMAZING testimony of this very powerful truth! I am really grateful for you sharing that here and adding so much value. Rich blessings of grace and peace to you today!

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  2. I have learned that if we truly desire to follow HIM, live by His Word He will continue to change us more and more. The work of His sacrifice was finished when He rose from the dead…..we are forgiven….but the coming of God the Holy Spirit to dwell within constantly is working in our lives. We are sinners with a sin nature and it is His eternal patience and Grace that life long works on us. Repentance and loving HIM is the story of a full and abundant life. I thank you sincerely Jennifer for your thought provoking blog. Blessings

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    1. And I thank YOU Faye for so faithfully sharing your thoughts, insights, and wisdom with us here! What you have to offer as someone who has long journeyed with Him is precious beyond words! ❤

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  3. Oh, sweet Jennifer, I just love you! Your heart of ministry is powerful and incredibly moving. My goodness, what a POWERHOUSE for the Lord you are! Your words of wisdom and encouragement are always right on time! ♥️

    Indeed, WHO can stop the Lord God Almighty? Absolutely no one! No struggle, no difficulty, no stubbornness, no anything is too big, too hard, or too impossible for Him. It’s such a powerful truth.

    I’d do well to remind myself just how BIG our God is. Too often, the problems and struggles I face seem insurmountable. Yet, God is able. Always. Nothing stops Him from finishing that good work He began. Wow, powerful truths sis. I love you, but most importantly, GOD IS WILD about YOU! 🤗

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    1. I’m drinking in that truth about His love for me, Holly. His Ruach breath was on you saying so, and I am so grateful! We need to hear it over and over, don’t we sis? He was just telling me that again today, that He really wants to get it through to me at a deeper level that He is never impatient or even the tiniest bit put off by my imperfection, so reading your words just now are right in line with what He was conveying to me. Thank you for letting Him use you that way! I took a screenshot of your comment so I can keep it! And I sure love you back! ❤ ❤ (Also, I am SO glad the post ministered to you, too!!)

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  4. Why do we always put God in a box? We seem to put limits on Him when we try to understand God from a human point of view. God can do anything and nothing can or will ever stop Him. Thank you for this truthful post. Thank God for your words of Wisdom and encouragement and. God changed Saul into the apostle Paul. How much more then can he change you and me? You will know the truth and the truth will set you free Amen. My wife is currently in the Hospital and I do not doubt God’s ability to see her through or to heal her. Jenn please pray for me and my family.

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    1. I am a little slower than usual looking at my comments due to a busy few days, so just seeing this. Praying right now. Her name is Kate, yes? Is there an update? I say yes and amen to God’s mighty power touching her body with full healing, in Jesus’ name! Lord send Your healing word!

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