Tag: weakness
The Everlasting God: Creator
Scripture reading for July 7: Isaiah 40:28-31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths grow weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
As we continue to explore the God we love and serve, we find this familiar passage in Isaiah the prophet that begins with two questions. These questions were prefaced by God’s people questioning whether or not God was with them. They were saying that their situation was hidden from God and He did not understand what they were going through. But God knew their thoughts and answered their fears with questions that would open their hearts. Did they not know He was the Everlasting God? Did they not remember that He created them and all things?
God is the Everlasting God, the Creator of all. As God Almighty, He is never tired, weak or weary. He specializes in giving strength to the weak and reviving those who are fainting from the struggle to believe. This weariness and weakness is common to all mankind because of sin and sickness that resulted from man’s disobedience. As the Everlasting God, He has knowledge of everything, even beyond what we can think or imagine. God called His people to wait upon Him for renewal and restoration. He promised that all who would wait would renew their strength. They would even mount up like eagles after going through their annual time of waiting as God renewed their feathers and beaks and they could soar again. Our Creator is strong and loves us with an everlasting love.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing understanding of our needs, weakness and struggles. Thank You that You are the Everlasting God Who never grows tired of us and our weaknesses. Help me as I wait upon You to find restoration in Jesus Christ, the Everlasting Son of God, my Savior. Amen!
Day 4–Powerful Communications
Scripture reading for February 19: Romans 8:26-28“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He Who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the perfect will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
A key to effective response to any incident is in effective communications. The hurting person must be able to communicate their need and location through the emergency communications network for that region. The emergency dispatcher must contact the available responders and send them the information in a timely manner. The responders must communicate back to the dispatcher their time of departure, equipment or vehicle, and estimated time of arrival. Upon arrival, they notify the dispatcher and after sizing up the situation, call with updated information and possibly request other assistance or equipment.
As faith responders, we are often called into God’s service as the opportunity or need presents itself. As today’s Scripture states, we are often feeling weakness or a lack of understanding about what God is doing or is wanting us to do in our response. We have the ability to talk directly to God through prayer, asking Him for directions and wisdom. In our weakness, sometimes we do not even know what to ask. God has made provision for all His people through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can allow the Spirit of God to pray through us in a spiritual language that communicates with God according to His perfect will. We act in faith when we allow the Spirit to help us. What a blessing it is to know that God is listening to us and helps us in our ability to pray effectively!
We are never alone or without timely communication with God through His Gift of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever been in a situation where you did not know what to do to help or assist? As a believer in Jesus, have you ever asked the Spirit to help you to pray? Today is a good time to invite the Spirit to help! (Luke 11: 9-13) God wants to empower us to communicate clearly!
Day 5–Faith moves mountains!
Scripture reading for February 13: Matthew 17:18-21 “And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say unto you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew records the story of a failure in the rescue of a young boy with epilepsy. This young boy’s father brought the boy to the disciples to deal with the disease which caused the boy to be thrown into the fire and into the water, endangering his life and peaceful existence as well as his family. We don’t know for sure where Jesus was, but the disciples failed to help the boy. When Jesus arrived and the father told them of the failure, Jesus rebuked the disciples as part of a ‘faithless and twisted generation’ that He was weary of bearing with. He had given them instructions before. They had gone out and applied what Jesus taught and modeled earlier. (Luke 10:17-20) Why couldn’t they use their faith to bring healing here?
This story contains lessons for us as first responders. There are times when we are called to help when we may try but seem to fail. We apply what we know, but don’t truly know what we should have learned. Like the disciples, we try but are failures and wonder why we failed. Sometimes an older and wiser responder takes us aside and explains where we went wrong. Sometimes, another team member with more experience and training provides the help needed and we can learn again the correct procedures.
When I face incidents where I am in over my head in training or ability I don’t despair and give up. My confidence is in my Lord and His promise of mountains moving even if my faith or personal ability is small. I speak to the Lord about the problem and invite Him to give me strength and ability or send help. Mountains move and nothing is impossible with Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for being with me in my weakness and even my failure. Thank You for correction and encouragement to get up and get going again, trusting in You. Amen.
Strength through weakness
Scripture reading for September 7th: 2nd Corinthians 12, Psalm 29, Proverbs 24
2nd Corinthians 12: 7-10 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
People often boast of their strengths and skills. Self-promotion and pride go hand in hand. But Paul encouraged believers by what he had learned through many trials and tests. Although Paul had great wisdom and amazing revelations of the glory of heaven, he was weak. To keep him from being conceited, a messenger of Satan was permitted to attack Paul in his flesh. We don’t know exactly what this trial was, except that after praying three times, the Lord instructed Paul to rely on His grace! God said His power is perfected in weakness. For Christ’s sake, Paul chose to be content with God’s grace and found new strength in his weaknesses! This is the upside/down principle of kingdom living as we endure earth’s trials and receive greater revelation of our Lord.
Psalm 29:10-11 “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever. May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace!”
Prayer: Father God, Your grace is indeed sufficient for me. You are King forever and You Alone can give me strength and peace in every trial and test of life. Thank You for the revelation of Your Son as my Savior and King. Thank You for the Holy Spirit as my Counselor, Who takes Your Truth and reveals it to my soul, giving me strength and the assurance of victory! To You be all glory and honor, forever!
Proverbs 24:5-6 “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
Boasting in our weakness
Scripture reading for October 1st: 2nd Corinthians 12
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Paul told the Corinthian church briefly about the great revelations he had received when he was caught up into the third heaven, the dwelling place of God. This place is also called ‘paradise’ and Paul was unsure whether he had gone there in bodily form or it was an ‘out of body’ experience. He had heard things there that he was forbidden by God to talk about. So Paul had a ‘thorn given me in the flesh’, ‘a messenger of Satan’ to harass him and keep him humble. Paul had prayed to God to take it away, but God spoke to him about grace. God’s favor would be sufficient for Paul. God’s power would be made perfect in Paul’s weakness. This Word brought peace to Paul and he was now content to boast in his weakness that Christ’s power would rest on him. It is interesting we do not find him binding Satan or continuing to pray for removal. He simply rested and accepted this ‘thorn’, whatever it was, allowing God’s power to rest on him. It appears that the thorns in believer’s lives can take many forms but the result is the same–weakness leading to more grace and power.
2nd Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me in every trial, persecution, hardship, or even calamity. For the sake of Your Son, Who was made weak by bearing my sins, I accept my weakness and Your grace. I invite You to let Your power flow through me to preach the Gospel and bring healing and salvation to the lost.
2nd Corinthians 12:14-15 “Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. . . . I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. . .”
A Helper in our weakness!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: 1st Kings 3, 2nd Chronicles 1, Psalm 42, Romans 8
Key Scriptures: Romans 8:26-29 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He Who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Paul wrote to the Romans concerning God’s help for each believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit bears witness that we are God’s children and God is our Father. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray when we are weak and don’t know how to pray. The Spirit knows all things we are going through and He knows the mind and will of God. When the Spirit intercedes, all things will work out for good to those who love God and are called of God. Faith arises inside us for calling, justification and ultimate glorification in the image of Jesus Christ!
Psalm 42:8 “By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray in the Holy Spirit to build my faith and believe all things are working out for my ultimate and eternal good and Your glory! Give me daily wisdom and conform me to Christ’s image!
1st Kings 3:9 “”Give Your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?””
God’s sufficient Grace!
Scripture reading for August 13th: Psalm 90-93, 2nd Corinthians 12
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Paul experienced great revelations from the Lord. The amazing things revealed were forbidden to be shared with others. Paul felt that the Lord also allowed a ‘thorn’ to come into his flesh from Satan to afflict him. The purpose of this ‘thorn’ was to keep Paul from becoming conceited. Paul sought God for its removal on three separate occasions. God told him that His grace was sufficient for him to endure. God’s power is revealed through weak vessels made strong by His grace.
Psalm 91:1-2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Prayer: Lord, thank You for calling me to abide in Your family and household. May I always remember Your grace is sufficient for me and Your power is displayed through my weakness. Amen.
Rejoice in our weakness!
Scripture reading for March 8th: Judges 4-8
Key Scriptures: Judges 6:14-16 “The Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord Answered, “I will be with you and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”
Gideon was approached by the Lord to deliver His people from the oppression of the Midianites. He looked at his own strength and family resources and asked God how this could ever happen since he was so weak. But God promised His presence would make all the difference!
Rejoice in weakness: God chooses weak people to do supernatural things. He asks for faith and obedience! “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” . . . “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2nd Corinthians 12:8-10)
Delighting in weakness!
Scripture reading for September 11th: 2nd Corinthians 12:1-10
Paul continued his boasting by talking in the third person about a man who was caught up to heaven. “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know–God knows. And I know that this man–whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows–was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.” (2nd Corinthians 12:2-4) The false apostles had stories, but Paul had a personal experience that he could only relay as if it happened to someone else. He had a vision or maybe an experience in his body that only God knew how it occurred. This person was caught up to paradise and heard some things that he was not allowed to express or tell.
Paul told them that he refrained from any more boasting so that people would not put him on a different level and cause him to have pride. God also was concerned about Paul’s pride as well! “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2nd Corinthians 12:7-10)
Much has been written about Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Some say it was a physical ailment related to Paul’s eyesight. Others believe it was the false apostles that continued to attack the church. Paul did seek the Lord about the removal of this thorn and God told him simply to abide in His grace. For Christ’s sake, Paul chose to delight in his weaknesses and trials for the Gospel. He learned that Christ’s power rested on him and worked through him in these trials. We can all learn from this truth!
A fool for Christ!
Scripture reading for September 10th: 2nd Corinthians 11:16-33
Paul continued to write to the Corinthians about the contrast between his ministry and that of the false teachers. He was jealous for them as one who had promised them to Christ. (2nd Corinthians 11:1-3) Paul turned to the use of sarcasm and boasting to try and open their hearts again.
“I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!” (2nd Corinthians 11:16-21) Paul admitted that boasting was not from the Lord. He was using the world’s ways like the fools who had used these methods to enslave the Corinthians. He sarcastically remarked that they put up with fools because ‘they were so wise’! Paul himself never exploited them or took advantage of them.
Paul’s credentials as an apostle were then laid out for them. He was a Hebrew and a descendant of Abraham. He was a servant of Christ who had endured prison, flogging, beatings with rods, stoning, and shipwreck. He had been constantly on the move, avoiding bandits, persecution from other Jews, false brothers, and Gentiles. He went without sleep, was hungry and thirsty, and cold and naked. All this he had endured for the cause of Jesus Christ!
A greater concern than the physical dangers he suffered was his care for all the churches. (2nd Corinthians 11:28-29) Paul hurt with those who were weak and in danger of leaving the faith. He felt a deep burden when one of the brothers or sisters was led into sin by Satan or false teachers. His boasting was not of his great strength, prophesies, preaching and powerful miracles. He was boasting in his weakness and God’s faithfulness to bring him through! Do you boast of your weakness and trials, or of your own accomplishments? May we all be ‘fools for Christ’!