Letters From Grandpa #369

LETTERS FROM GRANDPA

• 369

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with “things impossible”. Please consider these words of Jesus: “What is impossible with men, is possible with God” (Lk. 18:27). This simple statement of fact is the key to understanding much of the Bible.

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Zachariah and Elizabeth were very old and had been married for many years. They had no children, however, because Elizabeth was barren. When Zachariah went into the temple to burn incense the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth with bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth” (Lk. 1:5-25). Apparently, Zechariah prayed but didn’t believe his prayer would be answered. Because of this unbelief he was unable to speak until the baby was born. The point is, things impossible with man are possible with God!

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When Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a baby she said: “How can this be . . . since I am a virgin?” (Lk. 1:34). Gabriel explained: “Nothing is impossible with God” (Lk. 1:37). Mary did believe and now all generations call her blessed (Lk. 1:48). •

Consider these “impossible” commands given by Jesus:

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Jesus commanded a man with a withered hand: “stretch out your hand” (Matt. 12:13). •

Jesus commanded a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (Jn. 5:8).

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When four men tore up a roof and lowered their paralyzed friend into the presence of Jesus he said: “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” (Mk. 2:11).

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When the disciples needed food for 5,000 men Jesus said: “They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat” (Matt. 14:16).

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Lazarus had been dead for four days when Jesus stood at his tomb and called out with a loud voice: “Lazarus come out!” (Jn. 11:43).

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Etc.

In each of these instances the commands of Christ were “impossible”. With God, however, every one of them was possible. In each instance every command became reality. The withered hand was stretched out, the paralyzed walked, and the disciples fed 5,000 men with only 5 loaves and two small fish. Even Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, obeyed the command of Christ and came out of his tomb. Truly, the things that are impossible with men are possible with God!

For many years the Ozark Christian College sponsored a Science Scripture Forum to emphasize that there is no conflict between science and the Bible. One of my favorite speakers was the late Dr. Wilson Greatbach. This humble scientist was an elder and Sunday School teacher who sang in the choir. He is famous for developing the implantable pacemaker and modestly gives God the credit for his inventions.

Dr. Greatbach died in 2011 but his rich legacy lives on. While he received many scientific honors and 325 patents, he said that he only wanted to be remembered as “one of the Lord’s smaller people.” As a soldier in W.W. II he carried his Bible with him on dangerous missions. While others

died around him he didn’t. In retrospect he felt that God spared his life for a purpose. This thought caused his constant prayer to be: “Lord, show me what you want me to do”.

In 1956, Greatbatch attempted to create a heart rhythm recorder. However, he “providentially” added an incorrect electronic component by “mistake”. Instead of “recording” the heartbeat, now the device “simulated” a heart beat. In that eureka moment, he realized that this device could help an unhealthy heart stay in rhythm. The “mistake” provided evidence that this device could deliver a shock to heart muscles and make them pump. He gave God the credit for what had previously seemed “impossible”.

In 1958, having been refused further research assistance by his employer, Greatbatch sought advice from the Lord and decided to leave his job. With only $2,000 in savings and a large vegetable garden, he supported struggled to support his wife and family. Now however, he was able to pursue full-time research on the pace maker. His make shift lab was in a barn behind his house in Clarence, NY. With the help of two young researchers, William M. Chardack and Andrew R. Gage, Greatbatch built 50 implantable pacemakers. To power them he did further research in the area of lithium batteries. Thankfully he was assisted by Houghton College. This Christian college gave him laboratory space and allocated some of their chemistry curriculum to help with his work. Dr. Greatbach, however, always attributed his success to God and the power of prayer. Greatbatch’s invention, as you know, has extended and saved the lives of millions. Greatbach said: “I seriously doubt if anything I ever do will ever give me the elation I felt that day when my own two-cubic-inch piece of electronic design controlled a living heart.”

Do you believe in Go? In the final analysis there are only two possibilities. Either our universe is a closed system with no outside influence, or it is an open system where God can intervene. Either the physical universe created intelligence, or intelligence created the physical universe. Either mind produced matter or matter produced mind. I am convinced that the evidence proves that “What is impossible with men, is possible with God”.

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce