Strength and Weakness
Strength & Weakness
The Dictionary defines strength as:
1) the quality or state of being physically strong.
2) the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.
Well, we see on TV the winners of wrestling matches. So big and strong. We see commercials with Hefty garbage bags that are strong and can stand up to the pressure of garbage in the bag.
What is real strength? I think of parents who have a child with a serious illness. Being able to “hold it together” to function on a daily basis, is strength. Where does your strength come from? Working out at the gym? Using strong garbage bags?
I am not physically strong. I was never much help to Roger when he would want to move something. I am not strong psychologically either. Whenever I find myself needing strength, I run to God in prayer. Although the truth is, I often sit and worry or stress before I remember I have a friend who will carry any burden. When you think of strong Bible characters, Sampson is at the top of the list. God gave him incredible strength to accomplish things. Unfortunately, he wasn’t strong when it came to resisting Delilah. God would have given him strength for that too, but at the time, he didn’t want help.
2 Samuel 22:33 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
1 Chronicles 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
Isaiah 40:31 says: "But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength"
Today we are bombarded by bad news, and frightening things. We see wars and rumors of wars. We see people starving. We see people who have never read the bible quoting it (incorrectly, for their own gain). We see perversions like we could not have imagined years ago. We see sickness, floods, earthquakes, fires, devastation. We wrestle with family issues, finances, illnesses, and we wonder when it will end. We grow weary with all of this on our minds. Then God shows up. With the full strength of an army of Angels. With His strength He will but say the word and things can change. People are healed, storms are calmed, relationships are healed, thousands are fed with fishes and loaves. And we are comforted.
2 Cor 12: 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Lord, thank you for always being available to hear our prayers, our fears and giving us strength when we run dry. Amen
Shirlene Peterson