Weakness and Strength
Weakness and Strength
He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. (Isa. 40:29)
Who, Me?
It isn’t in the DNA of most men to admit their specific weaknesses or their overall weakness in general. Many of us have spent a large part of our lives trying to convince ourselves that despite our frequent feelings to the contrary, we’re actually pretty OK . . . well, at least better than average. It’s human nature to avoid feeling shame. But the problem with being OK is that Jesus didn’t come to change people who are OK; He came for those who are weak and helpless.
Isaiah shares a powerful truth. He says that God gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. But in order to receive strength, we actually need to acknowledge our weakness and powerlessness. Until our souls are so completely broken, until we realize that we honestly have no goodness in us, God cannot work to conform us to the image of Christ.
I’m OK, You’re OK
What often keeps us from admitting our frailties is the nagging suspicion that God cannot be trusted with our most intimate details. We think that He, like the guys at work or at church, might use the embarrassing revelations of our lives against us. But what we don’t understand is that God delights in our weakness. And when we depend upon Him completely, He raises us up and gives us supernatural strength. In the upside-down kingdom of God, weakness attracts strength.
Bottom Line
Admitting weakness is the first step toward discovering God’s power.