Psa. 22:24 π Psa. 84:2 π Psa. 138:3 π Eccl. 9:11 π Jn. 8:29 π 2 Cor. 4:11 π 2 Cor. 12:9 π 2 Cor. 12:10 π 1 Pet. 4:1
Many Christians refuse to admit their own inadequacies because they feel it may be a poor confession. However, it is only when these inadequacies cease to be covered up that we can zero in on a truth that will fulfill Godly strength for us. Paul’s point was, “I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses…for when we’re weak, we are strong.” (see 2 Cor. 12:10; top )
Admitting our inadequacies is not to promote self-hatred, self-pity, or an inferiority complex, but to bring us to a place of total honesty before Almighty God that without Him we can do nothing. It liberates us from our own self-sufficiency and we can say with David, “My heart and my flesh cries out for the living God.” ( Psa. 84:2; top )
David was seeking for God, not for more faith, and this seeking made him a prince with God. David’s desire was to please God, and not to fulfill his own desires. David had tried in every manner to exhibit his own abilities and self-sufficiency; but his exile proved to him, as it did for Moses, that total dependency on God, moment by moment, was the only way to draw continually on the strength of God. David’s recipe for strength was, “…When I cried, You answered me, and strengthened me…” ( Psa. 138:3; top )
The inner change necessary to promote our continued seeking of God and His strength is often the furnace of affliction supplied by God. In Moses’ case it was the lonely 40 years in Midian, and in David’s case it was his exile in caves and the wilderness, retreating from Saul.
This type of purging results in some profound changes. Mainly, it changes our motives: from being one of reliance on our own decision-making, to a purified one of saying, “Lord, what will You have me do?” We are not here to please ourselves. Jesus said, “For I do always those things that please Him (God).” ( Jn. 8:29 ) Along with this change comes the purification of our lives from sin ( “…he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” – 1 Pet. 4:1; top ). Then God can trust us to do His will and not ours.
The obvious – and almost ridiculous – question is: do we want to exchange our strength for His? That is the only way we will ever live in His eternal presence, for by man’s strength shall no man prevail.
“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus (and strength) might be manifest in our mortal flesh.” ( 2 Cor. 4:11; top )
“For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted.” ( Psa. 22:24; top )
“My (Jesus’) strength is made perfect in (our) weakness.” ( 2 Cor. 12:9; top )
“Not to the strong, nor to the swift the race…” (see Eccl. 9:11; top )
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