We were noting Sunday evening in our homegroup that God takes the weakness of humans to defeat his strong enemies. This is a weakness to be sure that is yielded to God, or in which God accepts as praise to him.
One constant in my own life is the sense of feeling weak. This is a posture, however, in which I can begin to sense something of God's enabling, working and strengthening in my life. This comes through prayer, pondering or reading Scripture and seeking to live faithfully in the community of God in Jesus in this world.
Paul seemed to learn to live in perpetual weakness and in so doing knowing Christ's ongoing strength. This may be something we need to learn to not only live in, but embrace, even as Paul did. Of course in Paul's case he had a special reason for even needing to experience such weakness. But we need to accept the fact, that to lesser degrees, we may need that experience as well. And it's written there for us, so that when this sense of weakness comes, we will learn to make the most of it, in God's will for us in Jesus in this world.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Good thoughts here, Ted. Something that I think is remarkable, something that you hinted at at the beginning of the post, is that God uses this supposed weakness to defeat God's enemies. We see this most clearly in the cross. Paul stated at that moment of (in the eyes of humanity) weakness, God defeated the 'the spiritual rulers and authorities' (Colossians 2.13-15). At that very moment, when all of the world saw weakness, the defeat of the Messiah, it was actually God turning the tide on them. I take great comfort in that.
Peace be with you.
+ OD
I'm thinking of the beattitude: blessed are the poor in spirit. Is that a kind of weakness?
God works through our weaknesses. I agree. But are the weaknesses really weaknesses--or do they just appear that way beacause our perspectives are skewed?
OD,
Thanks, and amen. This seems to be the way of the Lord on this earth both in Jesus and in Jesus' Body.
Mark,
Good point I think. In a true sense they surely are strength in that such are learning to align themselves with God and walk in his way. When we do that we renounce our false, "this worldly" selves and end up finding our true self. But all in God and in God's gifts and strength.
Your thought reminds me of Isaiah 40 where it says that those who hope/wait on the LORD will find new strength- after experiencing weakness- and that they will mount up with wings as eagles, running and walking in God's strength.
grace.
praise God for His Grace upon us.
i know that i am weak, i am nothing. only You are strong Lord God. You lift me up, you are my God, through Your Son and Your Spirit, You give me Your ever powerful and enduring Love.
Amen, Nancy.
Post a Comment