Power in Weakness

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”

My wife and I recently attended a talent show at a Joni and Friends Camp. If your not familiar with Joni Eareckson Tada, she is a lady who was paralyzed as a teenager and has turned her tragedy into ministry. Her camps are designed for those who are disabled or have some form of special needs.

As I watched each sweet act I was reminded of the simplicity of God’s strength in weakness. The people the world would abort at Planned Parenthood clinics are the ones that bring a flavor to life that reveals the purity of God’s love.

I witnessed God’s power among those precious people and realized we often look in the wrong places to see Him.

Looking for God

John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God“

Have you ever felt weak or worthless?

It doesn’t take long for the wickedness of this world to wear you down. The enemy constantly prowls and looks for ways to devour. The more we interact in this world, the more we will find ourselves wading through the maze of indifference, hatred, cruelty, or some other form of foolishness.

This world is destined for destruction and all who have embraced it’s doctrine will be opposed to those who have embraced God’s Truth. As God’s children, if we aren’t careful we can lose sight of the purity and presence of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What are the elements of this world that inhibits our ability to see?

• Sin—Walking in offense to God takes us off His path of righteousness. The further we walk in rebellion, the darker this path will become. Praise God, for He will not leave us alone but will reach down and draw us back toward His light. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• Fear—One of the weights of life is anxiety. The enemies tactic is to create a sense of fear in God’s people. If we take our eyes off of the Lord and place them on this world we will be consumed with the uncertainty of a world bent for destruction. The surety of God’s promises become clouded when we start thinking our circumstances are left to random chance. Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
• Hopelessness–The only way God’s people can lose hope is if they have placed their hope in things that are temporal. If we strive to hold onto something that God has wanted us to move on from, we will let it become an idol in our lives, one that will never bring peace or fulfillment. 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

With each element of weakness, God’s power is ready to supply all that you lack. What does it take to move from trusting in your own strength to relying on God’s power?—Humility.

The Humble

Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

It’s not easy being humble. Humility is defined as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. Most people don’t want to think of themselves in a low view, it implies a lack of value to the world. The lowly have very little say in many situations because often times others take their lowliness as weakness.

Why is humility regarded with such honor in God’s Kingdom?

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

When the Lord is the one exalting and not we ourselves, He is glorified. He is the one who receives the honor that is due, and hopefully this draws others to Him.

When we see God’s strength exhibited among the weak and simple, we recognize God’s power displayed.

If God’s church only understood the importance of humility, our lands would see the healing it has long sought after.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

With humility comes repentance.

The humble are lead by God since they don’t seek to be justified by their own righteousness.

The humble do not relish their own accomplishments but celebrate in other’s success.

The humble need no puffing up, it is the Lord who lifts them and that for them is enough.

There is great strength in humility.

The Proud

“Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.”

C.S. Lewis

Augustine and Aquinas both taught that pride was the root of sin, likewise Calvin, Luther, and many others. Make no mistake about it: pride is the great sin. It is the devil’s most effective and destructive tool.

One of the great paradoxes of life is found within the halls of pride and humility. Mankind in his pride has placed himself into a position of weakness which leads to death. For those who have humbled themselves, the recognition of their low position has placed them into a position of strength and honor—which leads to life.

Proverbs 16:18-19 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

Have you ever noticed how God often likens humility with the poor?

There is a direct correlation of pride with having more of the worlds possessions. This doesn’t mean that people whom the Lord has increased can’t be humble, but the increase is viewed from a position of God’s favor and less about mankind’s achievements.

Why did Jesus pray and give thanks to God before breaking of the bread?

Jesus was reminding His disciples to continuously remember who supplies their needs. That is strength in weakness; to keep oneself in the strength and care of our Lord.—Not strength of man but a strength that comes from relying on God to supply us according to His riches.

Contentment with how much of that supply is provided, knowing He gives us exactly what we need. It is this kind of strength that reveals God’s power to the world.

1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”

Calling Others

The Kingdom of God resides just below the visibility of a world that cannot see. Hidden from the “wise”, the weak and lowly bear the marks of strength and power. My wife and I witnessed this strength and power and we applauded with those around us.

God reveals His strength to those who know where to look. You are being summoned to come and see. See the greatness of our God and submit to Him before it’s too late.

The time of the Lord’s return is near. Jesus is the doorway to eternal life, He will become your salvation.