His Strength

A paradox is a statement that despite sound reasoning leads to a conclusion that is seemingly senseless, illogical or contradicts itself. There are times when the word paradox adequately describes a situation. In my journey with the Lord I can think back to instances where my faith seemed illogical and unreasonable, but it was “spot on” what I needed or where I was at. When I read the Word of God, it doesn’t always sound reasonable or logical to the world I live in, but that doesn’t change the truth one bit. Paul speaks to the church at Corinth about a particular paradox that really seems backwards. Check this out…

 9 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. 10 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. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV)

 

It really doesn’t make sense that when I’m weak, then I’m really strong. I have experienced this first hand. The times when I’ve seemed the most “helpless” is when God has showed up and shown His Power and His Presence in my life. He can do so much more when I lay down all my expertise, education, attitude and logical thought. His Power, His Presence and His Ways are beyond my ability to comprehend and understand. He does things and works in ways that I can’t explain but I know are real.

I agree with Paul – I will not boast in anything that I can do or have done. It is Christ in me that moves and lives and works. I am nothing without Him, but with His Presence – look out! He can do amazing and unexplainable things through my weakness. Check out this song from the 90’s by Steven Curtis Chapman…

I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength,

But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me;

No great success to show, No glory on my own,

Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know . . .

 

CHORUS

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;

He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.

Raised in His power, the weak become strong;

His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

 

We can only know

The power that He holds

When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;

His strength in us begins

Where ours comes to an end.

He hears our humble cry and proves again… (repeat chorus)

http://youtu.be/QGC9KT918Kk

Pressing On!

Dwayne