How many times have we told a suffering friend, "You're so strong. You'll be fine." We are very wrong. The Bible tells us that none of us are strong alone. Our pride sometimes wants to make us think that we can soldier through bad times all on our own. Our last resort often is prayer and God. Ephesians 6:10 says this,
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
Jesus had some plain words to speak on this topic. In John 15:5(b) He says, "for without Me you can do nothing." Nothing! We can't do anything truly good, we can't defeat evil, we can't overcome depression, we can't resist sin, whatever it is, without Him it can't be done.
What Our Weakness Teaches Us
We learn something from this. Our weakness teaches us that we are truly totally dependent upon God. God is our hope, our life, and our strength. We learn to praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness. We learn to die to self.
We Don't Fight Alone
In Romans 8: 31(b) Paul reminds us, "If God is for us, who can be against us." There is none like Him. Jesus refers to Satan as the "strongman" in Mark 3: 27, but Jesus takes him down and binds him. Jesus is always stronger. We can't imagine being able to fight against the power of Satan alone.
The story of David and Goliath in I Samuel 17 is a physical representation of a spiritual truth. David knew the power he had when God was with him. That was the power he would use to defeat Goliath. No armor, no sword, no army just a young man, and His firm belief that God would use him to defeat Goliath. As David says, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s,".
What Goliath's need slaying in your life? What are you up against that seems insurmountable? Whatever it is Jesus may not give you the answer you are looking for, it may not go the way you want, you may still die, you may still suffer, but in that weakness you will still know that it is the Lord who saves. The outcome, whatever it is, will be the right outcome, because you have relied on God's strength and not your own to face it. You will have peace.
Jesus Needs To Be The Plan
We see mottos and witty sayings like "You can do it!" or "You are stronger than you think!" all the time. A quote from Earl Nightingale says this,
"All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination."
If that plan places Jesus in control of your life and if the road map is the Word of God and your destination is Heaven then his quote is correct. If he means the plan is all yours, the steps to get there are ones you alone have devised and the destination is of your own choosing then he is wrong.
Be Strong In The Lord
God is with us wherever we go and in whatever circumstance we find ourself. We hear this all the time but do we believe it? Do we really believe that Jesus is our strength? What would we really fear if we knew this in our heart? We may go through terrible trials, frightening times, or be asked to do things we think impossible, but knowing absolutely that "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4) should give us the courage and strength to face anything.
So when Paul says, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 10); what he is saying is that the power of Christ can accomplish His goals when we completely depend on Him for our strength. There is a home waiting for us. In the midst of sorrow our hope is His strength. We look for that home in our weakness and seek to be strong in the Lord.
So please, don't tell me how strong I am! Tell me that even though I am weak it's through Christ that all things become possible. Don't tell me, "You got this!", remind me that it's Christ who has me. He is our strength and by His mighty right arm we, His people, are protected, delivered and defended.
Most gracious Father,
May we always remember your words in 2 Corinthians 4: 7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (NIV). Holy Spirit you are our treasure. All power is yours. We are here to show your power because we have none. We humble ourselves before you and ask for your strength to face the difficulties and trials of life.
In your Son, Jesus' name, Amen
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