March 5, 2023 CONTENT WITH WEAKNESS
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, I am strong.”
Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet He did not sin”
Most do all they can to avoid appearing to be weak in any area of life; in our culture, having a broad knowledge, be skilled, being winsome, and being in control is greatly admired. There is nothing innately wrong with these in and off themselves-but if we trust in these traits or if they are our main pursuit in life, then we are in error. Do not misunderstand, it is a good thing to pursue excellence and to be skilled in what we do, and to grow in knowledge. However, we must not miss the point that it is through our weaknesses that Christ perfects His power. We all have weaknesses; rather than being ashamed about our weaknesses, let us boast in our weaknesses because Christ works through our weaknesses. When we do boast in our weaknesses as Paul did, Christ is glorified; if we act from our strength, then we take the credit for what we did. To say it again, everyone who is breathing has weaknesses; but God works through our weaknesses. When we understand this truth, we can indeed boast in our weaknesses. I recently heard a message entitled “The Value of Flaws.” We all have flaws; in fact most if not all of the biblical figures had flaws. The point was that even though we have flaws, even though we have failed and made bad decisions, even thought our past may be terrible, even if we have physical limitations, let us give our lives-flaws and all-to God and to what He wants to do in and through us; do not let our flaws and weaknesses be an excuse not to serve God with all of our hearts. It is amazing, but embracing our weaknesses and flaws takes the pressure off! We are not perfect; but God is at work in us, transforming us and maturing us, but in the process, He works through our weaknesses in order that He may be glorified. So, improve where you can, but be ok with your weaknesses; do not be ashamed of them and do not try to hide them and pretend to have it all together in every area of life. Yield all of you to the Lord and watch Him work. We serve an amazing God.
Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Blessings,
Buddy