His Strength in Our Weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT) Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 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.
In the midst of some of my current trials, my weaknesses are becoming more evident to me. The areas I thought I had fortified now seem like rubble. It's hard to admit when we are not as strong as we thought we were. It's especially hard to admit to ourselves. I pray all the time that God will show me areas that require change and it's funny... it often isn't at all what we would think.
I find such comfort in the opening scripture. It's not in our strengths that we realize our desperate need for Jesus, but in our weaknesses. It's in those moments when we are faced with insurmountable circumstances, pain and stressful situations...as our backs are up against the wall and the enemy thinks he has the upper hand, that's when we know there's only one way out and that's to call out to Jesus in faith-filled desperation!
There's such rest in knowing that it's not about us, it's not about how strong or gifted we are...it's not about amazing abilities or incredible knowledge. It's simply about God's children realizing they can't accomplish anything of value without His mercy, favor, grace and power. It's about doing battle on our knees and trusting in the written promises of His Word. It's about taking the authority that's been given to us and using it against the forces of evil that are bent on destroying us. It's about believing that the one who created us and sacrificed all for a relationship, cares enough to get us through any trial we are faced with and we can get through it with His strength. It's not a far away hope of being rescued, but His presence is very near. It's His strong arm we are holding every step of the way. It's believing we are deeply loved and never alone. It's trusting against all earthly odds and fully believing that if God be for us no one could dare be against us! It's knowing without a shadow of a doubt that even in the midst of the battle WE WIN THE WAR!
Weakness? Ha! I don't rely on the strength of this flesh! I RELY ON THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!!
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Romans 8:28, 31-32 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Zechariah 4:6 (TLB) Then He said, “This is God’s message to Zerubbabel:‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty—you will succeed because of My Spirit, though you are few and weak.
