Grace Perfecting Strength in Weakness

[Boanerges]

February 2

Grace Perfecting Strength in Weakness

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness . . . He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (2Co_12:9 and Isa_40:29-31)
When the subject of spiritual strength is raised, our thinking often turns in one of two directions. Either we consider how we can muster up our own strength, or we dwell on our own weakness, doubting that adequate strength can ever be found. Well, it is clear from the scriptures that God is not expecting that mere human strength will be sufficient for our spiritual callings. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall." Natural strength is never more abundant than in youthful lives. Yet, even that supply is not what people need for spiritual endurance.
God's word is also clear that an awareness of our weakness need never lead to despair over finding strength. Actually, the opposite is true. When we realize our drastic insufficiency, that is a reminder of our qualification to receive God's supply of strength. "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Those who admit that they are weak are the very ones to whom God offers His strength. Those who confess that they have no might at all are the people in whom God increases His strength.
It is an amazing truth that God's strength is perfected (displayed the most fully) in the arena of our own weaknesses. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Whenever we agree with God concerning our complete frailty in any given area of life, His grace is available to meet the need. Whenever we personally look to Him to pour out that strength, we will find that it is sufficient. "Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength."
Waiting upon the Lord involves hoping in Him, placing our expectations upon Him and not upon ourselves. For all who depend upon Him in view of their own weakness, "they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Thereby, our confession can be: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phi_4:13).

Lord, You are my only hope and my sufficient strength. On my own I am hopeless and powerless. Thank You for Your gracious patience, when I think my human strength is enough. Lord, I am weak; give me Your power. I have no might; increase Your strength in me. I wait upon You. I put my expectations in You. Unleash Your glorious grace in me, perfecting Your all-sufficient strength in my life, in Jesus name, Amen.


Bob Hoekstra

 

[Gracealone]

How very true that is and in my life alone, displayed.

Growing up in a poor family, and by the age of thirteen, left to figure out what life was all about, I found I didnt have a clue how to deal with a world that suddenly became ugly, and threatening.
We see more clearly, looking back, and I can see how in my weakness God was there all the time, protecting and keeping me.
Went through some very difficult experiences, but even they showed Gods faithfulness.

Today my faith is solid in Christ my Lord, for I know, that I know, my redeemer lives, and on the earth one day will stand........and me right along side him.
Not by might, nor by power, on my part, but by his Mercy and grace, redeemed.
Cant ask for better than that, can we!
When God is for you, who then can be against you? No one.

 

[jiggyfly]

God's word is also clear that an awareness of our weakness need never lead to despair over finding strength. Actually, the opposite is true. When we realize our drastic insufficiency, that is a reminder of our qualification to receive God's supply of strength. "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Those who admit that they are weak are the very ones to whom God offers His strength. Those who confess that they have no might at all are the people in whom God increases His strength.

Excellent post Boanerges, this is spiritual growth, Christ's strength, my weakness. More of Him and less of me.

QUOTE=Gracealone; Went through some very difficult experiences, but even they showed Gods faithfulness.

Amen Gracealone, I think that these experiences are necessary in order to know God's love and His faithfulness. In many cases these circumstances are instruments of Father's love, I know we don't always see it that way or feel that way especially at the time of our struggle. But just as you said Gracealone, we look back and see more clearly.



Many of us have the mentality that when we do something good God reaches into His bag of blessings and pulls something out to reward us and when we do something wrong He reaches into His bag of bad and pulls out something to punish us. But this is a carnal mindset, it is all a blessing because it all works for our good.

Paul said, "I am glad that I am weak". He was maturing spiritually, and in my opinion at a faster rate then many of the other apostles. I believe that when it comes to understanding grace, it must be done experientially and not something that can be accomplished in a classroom (church bldg.) listening to someone talk about it day after day.

I like Young's literal translation of what Paul said in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 5:20&21
And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the
sin did abound, the grace did overabound, that even as the sin did reign in the death, so also the grace may reign, through righteousness, to life age-during, through Jesus Christ our Lord.