2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul spoke from experience. You have had experiences through your journey, too. Some of them are difficult. Some are out of your control. Some can hardly be explained. But too often they demonstrate the fact that we are weak.
It is when we are weak that we need something to help. That help might come from getting someone to help with lifting or with a problem you cannot seem to solve on your own. That help may come by someone simply taking your place. Help might come treatment or medicine or through time.
Does some weakness have no answer? I subscribe to a theory that there is weakness we cannot overcome, but we know someone who can and will overcome for us.
That would be God. In our relationship with Christ we find strength.
In marriage I have found that when my wife needs assistance, I might be able to help. And on the opposite side of that, she is strong often where I am week. This is illustrated in sports when we work as a team. This is true in the church as we work together. It is true in a number of other ways. Family is another where we need each other. We make each other strong.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
We need each other. Make others strong by using the talents and gifts you have been given.
We need God’s strength. The verse I began with is a testimony of this fact from Paul. It was only after the hard times that God’s strength was seen and experienced. Then that same strength was there again and again.
2 Corinthians 13:9 NLT
We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
Joshua 1:9 NLT
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Proverbs 18:10 NLT
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
Admit you are weak. Let God be your strength.
NOTE: much of this devotion was first shared in October of 2018.
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