In Times of Weakness!

I remember when I was around ten years old and I was confronted by fear in a way I had not experienced before. I grew up in a pretty tough home environment. I always had the protection of an older brothers. In this moment I was on my own. I was confronted by a bully and there was no one there to help me. I discovered something about fear. You can either steal from you or produce steel with-in you. 

I had dealings with this particular bully. It wasn’t the first time in but in this case I was by myself. Previously the bully would just taunted me issuing threats. It was typically in front of others as he was trying to look important in front of others. It seem that I could always reason with him and talk him down through humor mostly. 

Yet, in this moment he confronted me and his threats came with a reality I nearly froze. I didn’t know what to say or do in this latest attack. 

Inside I was afraid. Fear seized me. All I could think about was the fact that I was all alone having to deal with the situation on my own. Today I would call it a fight or flight reaction but left me with few options. Those moments seem to drag out in slow motion.

Perhaps something snapped within me because in a flash a new reality came over me that I cannot explain even to this day. I knew better than to him simply run away because I thought for sure he would see that as a weakness and it would fuel his aggression. But in that moment I stood my ground.

I told him that I did not want to fight him and then I’m certain that we could be friends. I tried my simply negotiation tactics but they fell short. I tried to humor him with a couple of laughs stating that it would be embarrassing if I actually beat him up. It seem to backfire while encouraging him all the more.

I was only left with one option. I would simply stand my ground and hope that it was enough.  Courage seem to take over. I said to him but I was getting tired of his persistent taunting and never taking action. I said, “It’s time to do something or shut up!“ I stepped forward expecting to be met with a fist to my face but instead he stepped back. I again stepped forward and he again stepped back. I knew at that moment that though I was weaker than he was and unlikely to win a fight but he was not ready for a battle. Ironically enough, at that moment it began to rain. Also at that moment, he back down. He said that he was wearing new clothes and that he couldn’t get them wet and then simply turned to head for home.

I tell that story because it applies to what I read in Psalm 8. We find all through scripture how God used our weaknesses. In the Psalm it clearly identifies that God is majestic and powerful. Yet, he chooses to use our weaknesses. There are times in our lives when we feel as though it is too great a battle and we want to run away.

Psalms 8:2 — You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

God uses weak vessels to carry his message. Often it is through our weakness that we find strength through Christ. All throughout Scripture we find that God who is infinite and great desires to use us to accomplish his work in this world.

The Lord said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV). In order for Christ’s power to work in us we must be in submission to Him, even when we are weak. When we are weak, we are allowing ourselves to humbly depend on a God who is able to align our will to His. It is an opportunity for us to participate in the divine plans God has for the world. Read more here. 

We read further in Psalm 8 that God is infinitely greater than we are yet he chooses to use mere mortals. Humans are the carry out his work here on earth. God has given us authority over all of his creation. Another words that God has entrusted us in the care in welfare of others. That is clearly amazing!m

Psalms 8:6 — You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority. 

Whether we are confronted by temptation or intimidated by others or overwhelmed by life‘s circumstance, God is giving us victory by His Spirit and through our lives. As Christians, we should understand that in our weakness we could be made strong.  God uses the foolish things of this world to shame the proud. 

I love the lyrics to the song by Matthew West. Strong Enough is the title of the song that reminds us that he will carry us through. Though we may not feel strong enough, God will give us what we need. The lyrics speak to our soul of the insecurities we feel. “You must think I’m strong enough to give me what I’m going through.”

When we are confronted by negative situations that are beyond our control or discouragement that seems to overwhelm, we need to look to the Lord because He is the source of our strength. He carries us when there seems to be no way.

Like you, I love sunrise and sunset. I love the majestic beauty of the of the sun reflecting on the horizon and the diverse colors that it produces. It is majestic and awe-inspiring to see those colors reflected in the clouds.

Even though I have seen a thousand sunrises and sunsets, I am always amazed by each one of them.

Psalms 8:3-4 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

God chooses to display his glory and his majesty yet GOD desires to work through you and me as we confront wife’s most difficult moments.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is the verse that reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“ (Philippians 4:13)

Matthew West concludes his lyrics of the song Strong Enough to remind us that God is with us and in us when we’re not strong enough.

Again the lyrics from strong enough: 

“When I am weak, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. And I don’t have to be strong enough.”