Word Study For Today: The Book of Proverbs Chapter 13.
Devotion: GOD’S POWER STRENGTHENS YOUR WEAKNESS.
Texts: II Corinthians 12:7-10. | Micah 4:1-8. | John 9:1-11.
God’s power, (strength, ability, agility) finds expression in human weakness, [in that human being who has chosen to lean on Him]. Some in their fool hardiness assume that they power themselves. >“Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God…”[Psalms 14:1 NLT]▪️
The immutable truth is; the strength, vitality and vigour we express is not ours, it is given by God. >“He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.” [Psalms 136:23 NLT]▪️
He remembers us in our lowly estate, He recalls we are but mere flesh (dust, clay, mud); and what can be expected of a product from such material? Psalmist wondered in >Psalms 8:4 (NLT)==> “what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”▪️
Beloved, Christ in us is the hope of glory. For the expression of this glory, He keeps us weak, that we may first acknowledge and in wisdom depend upon our source of strength. God is our source of strength. This needs to, and has to sink into us.
It’s highly judicious to mouth (say) this statement a couple of thousand times; “GOD IS MY STRENGTH”, till the reality of it sinks into our spirit and finds home in us- according to >II Samuel 22:33 (NKJV)==>“God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.”▪️
Weakness is a platform for God’s glory. If I be strong in myself and by myself, wherein is God needed or His strength expressed?
>John 9:2-3 (NLT)==>“2)Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3)“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”▪️
It sounds rather awkward, strange and perhaps mean, to say that the name of God may be glorified is the reason for our weakness and suffering; but God our Creator knows what He is doing. The bible rightly says in >Acts 17:28(NKJV)==>“for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’▪️
In Him and in Him alone we have our being.
Weakness in a sense is a checkmate on our path. We would run riot in full blast unrepentant arrogance, if we have no dependence on God, [remember we are flesh?].
>II Corinthians 12:7NKJV)==> “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.”▪️
Paul the apostle said, God allowed the buffeting of satan, [however what truly expressed itself in Paul, no one is particularly clear on it], so that going by the depth of revelations and exposure to the realms of the Spirit he had had, he would not become puffed, (arrogant), as if he were no longer a created being like every other living soul. He was humbled by the things he suffered. He was deliberately weakened, so he may fully rely on the strength of God.
This is our God for you; hence Paul said >“But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” [2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT]▪️
What a profound mystery!
God truly is the strength of our hearts. In >Micah 4:7 (NLT), He Himself said ==>“Those who are weak will survive as a remnant; those who were exiles will become a strong nation. Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever.”▪️
>II Corinthians 12:9a (NKJV)==>9)“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
No flesh must glory in itself. God designed it so. He is the Strength of Israel. He chose it so, it is so, and non-contestibly so! >27)“…God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28)and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29)that no flesh should glory in His presence.”[I Corinthians 1:27-29 NKJV]▪️
Beloved, the Psalmist speaks for us all >“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” [Psalms 73:26 KJV]▪️
We have strength for all things in HIM alone.
Prayer Action:
-Bow down in absolute and reverential worship to the Strength of Israel.
-Pray for 15 minutes in the language that strengthens.
-Cast all your weakness before Him, [open up and acknowledge that you are weak].
-Cast HIM consciously for, and exchange His for yours >>> “STRENGTH FOR WEAKNESS”.
-Keep it on your lips through the day till it gets in your heart- “GOD IS MY STRENGTH”.
