He Can Make You Strong Even In Your Weakness
The writer of Hebrews in 11:34 (NKJV) says: “…out of weakness were made strong.”
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been called the Westminster Abby of the Bible. Here are the heroes and heroines of Old Testament times. Here are men and women of faith who wrought exploits in the name of the Lord.
Here are the monuments and the epitaphs of illustrious worthies who were great in the sight of the Lord. As we read the account of what they did, we are captivated and challenged. Yet at the same time, there is a subtle suspicion that sticks obstinately in our minds. And it says, they were different from us. And therefore, we could not ever be expected to act like they did. They were specialists, where as we are just plain, average, ordinary people.
Then we suddenly come across this revealing little clause in verse 34 (NKJV) “…out of weakness were made strong.” Now this gives new insight into the whole story. Here is comfort and hope. Out of weakness we also can be made strong. Those men and women of long ago were real flesh and blood heroes and heroines. Men and women of like passions as we ourselves. We must look at them again.
If they were indeed weak humans like we are, then could we, through Him, become like them? Yes, we may, but how? In all those Old Testament worthies, we see triumph - a triumph that can be ours as well. The key to all of this is faith. Out of weakness, they were made strong by believing and so can we.
Is the writer thinking especially of Job and Hezekiah when he says, “Out of weakness we are made strong”? Or do the words cover a wide field, like Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, and others? Is not this the story of every human soul who has risen to a life of victorious Godliness? Is it not of every Christian worker blessed in the service for Christ, and of every righteous cause which has won its way to victory? Yes, ‘out of weakness we are made strong’ applies to all of us.
Let me ask you a question – are you a fearful person, do you have poor health, or is your complaint that you are not made of hero stuff. Then let these heroes file before you one by one, all under the same banner that reads, “Out of weakness we are made strong.”
Friend, today, out of your weakness, God desires to make you strong. Believe Him and allow Him to do what only He can do.
By: Dr. Lenny Wisehart, Pastor of South Lake Church of the Nazarene and Executive Committee Board of Trustees member Nazarene Bible College
Published: 07/29/2019
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