Strong When We Are Weak
Most of us have strengths that we are proud and assured of, but we also tend to shy away or hide the areas that we are weak in. Even the Apostle Paul, who experienced one of the most dramatic conversions, preached salvation to the Gentiles, and who wrote the majority of the New Testament had struggles. He faced a challenge that he begged God to take away. Each time the response of the Lord was, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
Having weaknesses can make us feel insecure, uncertain, and fearful. But these “thorns” in us are more than mere inconveniences. They draw us to depend on God, so that He can work in and through us, doing only the things He can do. If we only know how to depend on our own strengths, we are missing out on a whole lot of supernatural power that God wants to give us!
The very things in our lives that seem to cripple us (eg. sins, weaknesses, failures) are the very things we can overcome because of Christ. May we learn Paul’s perspective on this matter: “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
When we received Christ into our lives, many of us were not wise, powerful or wealthy in the world’s eye (1 Corinthians 1:26). Our confidence in drawing near to God is always based on His grace, never on our ability or performance.
We might have spent years building on our strengths, and these are achievements we can be proud of – but let us step into this new year learning how to be assured of God’s strength and grace flowing to help us in our weaknesses. It is a sure fact that when we are weak, our God in us is strong.
Reflection
What were some weaknesses in your life that turned into strengths as you gave them over to the Lord?
What are you struggling with today? Take some time to commit them to the Lord and allow Him to empower you in these areas.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I commit to depend more on You in all areas this year. I commit to surrender my weaknesses to You and choose to not be ashamed of my weaknesses because You can turn those weaknesses into strengths.
Fasting 18. **Expressing Gratitude**: Fasting can express gratitude to God for His provision and blessings, acknowledging dependence on Him, as seen in Hannah’s fast after the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:24).
2 CORINTHIANS 12
1 CORINTHIANS 1
14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
