Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Inner Strength (04/20/06)
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TITLE: When I Am Weak | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dana Cooper
04/27/06 -
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The feeble old lady who cannot cross the street without a helping hand seems weak in the eyes of the world. Yet the world does not see the days when she bore children and cared for her family. They only see what is before them as weak and frail and wrinkled. Not visible is the strength within that wiped a fevered brow in the middle of the night or took in extra work to pay for college for a promising child.Maybe the elderly man who cannot lift the heavy load of boxes by
himself comes to mind.No longer is he muscle bound and leading the team to the finish line.
Not visible is his early rising for years to work to provide for a family that he
loved more than his own flesh.
Many things come to mind when defining weakness such
as the dieter who cannot resist yet one more piece of candy
or alcoholic who cannot resist another glass of wine and yet both feel such hopelessness.
There is the Christian who keeps committing the same sin over and over again to yet stumble one more time.The world around us sees certain things as signs of weakness such as
the man who cries and is labeled too emotional or the woman who cannot make it on her own
financially.
Yet for the Christian who is on their knees praying and hoping for change and committed
to whatever it takes to receive it the Apostle Paul said something that gives hope in 2 Cr 12:9.
And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
And he goes on in the next verse to describe what in the eyes of the world looks like weakness
But in the Kingdom of God is in reality great strength.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
The word weakness that Paul is describing here is the word
astheneia.
This word is defined as) want of strength, weakness, infirmity
1) Of the body
1) Its native weakness and frailty
2) Feebleness of health or sickness
b) Of the soul
1) Want of strength and capacity requisite
a) To understand a thing
b) To do things great and glorious
c) To restrain corrupt desires
d) To bare trials and troubles
This same word astheneia defines the state Jesus was in on the cross of Calvary. Though it may
Have appeared to be a sign of weakness this apparent weakness was necessary for our salvation and was a great victory.
The bible says these beautiful words,
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
So the next time you are feeling weak and unable to bear up under the load of life’s stresses do what the word of God instructs us to do.
1Pe 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
1Pe 5:11
To him [be] glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2Cr 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
For what you feel is your greatest weakness may just prove to be an area that the Lord will show Himself strong and the grace of Calvary’s Cross will have a chance to shine in your life.
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