07/09/2026
Are we strong enough to adhere to God’s commandments? Do we have sufficient strength to rise above the world and achieve holiness and great righteousness? Well, we might be strong in comparison to other men, but in God’s eyes we are most certainly weaklings, and in truth, we need the strength of Jesus in order to perfect ourselves, but even then we might find that we are a challenge for Him.
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Paul said that although he personally had much to boast about, that God had placed a thorn in Him, a messenger of Satan to harass him and remind him not to brag. He even prayed three times for this thorn to be removed, but the answer was always no... he was refused so that the revelations he was receiving would not bring him conceit. When we are given understanding by God it is not to make us appear great, or so that we can boast of our faith; the glory associated with all of this is God’s, and Jesus wants us to depend on Him, and to be empowered by His strength which is made perfect by our weakness. As humans we covet strength, and long for power; we have come to view weakness as our thorn, when in fact it is pride in our own strength that is our undoing. Pastor Andrew Murray said it well when he wrote...
“Christians think their weakness is the greatest hindrance in their life and service to God; but God tells us that our weakness is actually the secret of strength and success. It is our weakness, heartily accepted and continuously realized, that gives us our claim and access to the strength of Him who said “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”” - Andrew Murray
When we are weak we kneel more readily before God in humility and contrition, and it causes us to lean more heavily on Jesus Christ for even a wisp of God’s strength to bolster us. When we admit our weakness we are giving the glory and any semblance of strength we might exhibit to the Lord, and scripture reminds us of this over and over again... our strength comes from the Lord.
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV
We who are weak gain strength from Him who is strong, His is the fountain of our resolve, and the manna that brings strength to our bodies. He takes away our fear and replaces it with courage, and confidence in His power.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalms 46:1-3 ESV
Our weakness provides Jesus with the opportunity to demonstrate God’s perfection in us. We are the catalyst of His glory, and our frailty is never diminished by His help. We turn to the Lord in all our shortcomings and weaknesses, and He lifts us up so that everyone can see His might. So, even as we gather strength from Jesus He perfects Himself in empowering us... all of this for the glory of God.
The psalmist wrote that he sat at a table before his enemies and ate as though he was not troubled. He said that his fear was gone because God had set this table and placed him at it. What man can boast of such a thing? Whose strength is sufficient for such courage? Only the strength of the Lord can bring us this peace in the presence of such eminent danger.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalms 23:5 ESV
God glorifies Himself by addressing the weaknesses in us. He doesn’t strengthen us so that we might boast in ourselves, but so that all of creation will praise Him, and worship Him. We are made to glorify Him in the strength He has given us.
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord Glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!”
Psalms 96:7-9 ESV
So, do we consider ourselves to be strong? Do we believe that we are sufficient in our own resolve and strength to stand before the world and all creation to claim glory for our righteousness as our own? If we feel this way then it is time to reconsider and fall humbly to our knees before Him in tears and prayer.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the strength you provide me in my times of weakness. I lift up your name Lord so that it will be glorified before the nations, and in the eyes of all men. You are the source of my strength, and your mercy and grace anoints me with your power. I have no claim to my righteousness because it is you who makes that possible. My weakness becomes the shofar of your might, and the messenger of your goodness to me. I know no fear Gracious Father, for I take comfort in your strength, and pride in your glory. Help me Holy Father as I resist the temptation of taking pride in myself. Open my eyes Lord to the truth of your provision, and the powerful goodness you bring to me in the face of my shortcomings. Set a table for me before my enemies and give me courage to dine before them without fear. Great are you my God, and all honor and glory is yours! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who strengthens the weak, and brings peace to the troubled. Let all creation glorify you in its frailty, for you are our God, and our strong tower… you are our courage and the peace we find in the midst of every storm. Praised be your name and the name of Jesus.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen!
Rich Forbes