The Power of Weakness

Continuing in our study of |The Power of Weakness, one must

reflect upon God strengths and where his power lies.  Erwin Lutzer wrote” God is not in the business of helping the humanly strong become stronger, rather he takes the weak and makes them strong in himself.”

                But how do we find strength when we seem to be so weak. What is our purpose? The Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us that “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” How are we to understand this? To seek personal power for ourselves is an unworthy goal but to seek His power to glorify Him in our lives is a mark of spiritual maturity (p.78)

                How do we glorify God? If we change our ways and grow in our faith and understanding of who God is in our lives. God wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—it is his will for us (Romans 12:1-2) But we must be willing and open to receive this and we can only receive the change if we allow God to act in us. We cannot do it alone.

                Three stages of Life—Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

3 stages:1) soar and fly like an eagle; -- on top of the world  2) run and don’t grow weary—go through the routine 3) all we can do is to walk and not faint.

                But where is hope? It is different from strength because it is the light at the end of the tunnel with the belief that  the horrible circumstances I’m experiencing now won’t last; or that I won’t feel the same way I do about them now.

                Even Jesus did not face his death alone- he called out to God.  So can we.

REFLECTION:

Under which circumstances are you needing to be strengthened? Is it continuous or when you have a crisis or question of faith?

What do you do? Do you glorify God or do you sit and mope? Do you praise God with prayers of hope? Or do you pray to God asking for the strength you need to overcome this situation you are facing?

PRAYER:

God help us in our moments of weakness to be strengthened by who you are and what you are doing in our lives and in our world. Renew our strength so that we can ‘soar like eagles’ again. Help us we pray. Amen.