“Hosanna” by Soweto Gospel Choir. If video does not immediately appear, refresh your browser.
The Paradox of Weakness and Strength
2 Corinthians 12:9-11 New International Version (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Lord is my Good Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In studying the Bible, we learn certain truths about weakness and strength. We learn:
“When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
People often consider themselves weak in health or finances. They sometimes feel inferior because they live in a humble dwelling or do not wear expensive clothes. Fear of what you don’t have in the material realm thrives when you attach your identity and worth to material circumstances. Your job and your home are not who you are. You are what’s in your heart, not what’s in your environment. Where your heart is, your mind follows. Knowing who you are even when physical circumstances say otherwise, is real strength.
What the Lord can do in your life is never limited by lack. The King of Kings was born to a virgin and had a feeding trough for His crib. These humble circumstances made it impossible for others to attribute His accomplishments to wealth and earthly status. Likewise, for us, the Lord is our strength, not our bank accounts, our college degrees, our jobs, friends, or possessions.
This co-existence of weakness and strength in the life of the believer can result in unsettling cognitive dissonance. When this is the case, faith creates the cohesion we need to keep up a consistently Godly walk. King David was a mighty man of GOD, who relied on the promises of God in times when his physical circumstances seemed to laugh at his spiritual reality.
There were times when David had to run from danger, and avoid fighting, even though he was a mighty man of valor who surrounded himself with the best fighters. Though wealthy and anointed King, and given the greatest promises, David hid in caves, slept in a hole in the ground, feigned madness, and partnered with his enemies. Yet, in all these situations, he cried out to The LORD and was able to foresee and know his victory because he trusted in GOD. So while his body was in exile, his soul was hid with GOD. He survived to see his promises come to pass, because he chose to make The LORD Most High his refuge and habitation.
Given that the Lord is our truth and our strength, we can pray this prayer: LORD, please help me to see your truth for my life. Let me not be consumed by what I see and hear about me, but rather to make your bosom my resting place, my home. Only there can I live in truth. Only there, can mighty acts be done on my behalf. Thank you Father, for all you have given me and all you have done for me. In Jesus’ precious name I say, Amen.
Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
Video of “Hosanna” by Soweto Gospel Choir was uploaded on Youtube.com by beanscot on Mar 27, 2008. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership of this video. It is used for educational purposes only.
