In Weakness Made Strong

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow, UK | Category: General | Apr 1986

"When I am weak, then am I strong"(2 Cor. 12:10)

A classic example of this is David in his fight with Goliath. There were many strong men in the camp of Israel, but they met a stronger than they in the giant from Gath, and so they were afraid of him. But David had learned that, in the service of God, weakness is an asset when it is linked with faith in God. His conflict with the lion and the bear had taught him that.

There is a helpful lesson in this for all the servants of Christ. When we are fluent in speech, then our ability can be a loss to us unless we are careful that we speak only the word that the Lord has given us in the secret place. In the service of God the flesh profits nothing, it is the Spirit that quickeneth. Fluency and organizing ability are powerful aids in the affairs of men, but in God's service they must be subservient to the power of the Spirit of God. "Apart from Me" the Master said, "ye can do nothing".

David refused Saul's armour and sword because he delighted in his own sling and a few stones. Paul took pleasure in weaknesses, difficulties and distresses for then the power of God was more abundantly available to him. And what a servant he was; what a missionary! From Jerusalem even to Illyricum (modern Albania) he had fully preached the gospel of Christ, and still he was looking for other fields. But the Lord had a service for him; to bear witness to kings and governors, and with the pen to "write those prison letters which have nourished God's saints for two thousand years.

We also must learn of the power that is more abundant in our weakness, when it is linked with faith in God and humility of heart. The shepherd of Bethlehem and the tent-maker from Tarsus proved this. And so can we.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow, UK | Apr 1986
General