To realize that we are weak and hopeless without Jesus is a step in the right direction in our faith walk with Jesus. So what do we do? We turn to God for His strength!! Paul wrote the following words to the church in Philippi in Philippians 4: 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. All means ALL and Paul knew first-hand that his strength was insufficient to do what he was doing. The most taxing thing I perceive is he had to go against those who were religious, and so steeped in their religious beliefs that they would not listen to anything different. Paul was so "on mission" when he went first to the synagogue to tell them about the real way to eternal life. When he was rejected Paul went to someone's home and continued to see people touched and changed by the Gospel.
Some of these religious zealots were so "evil doing good" that they not only tried to discredit him, they followed after him trying to snuff out the message of the Gospel. This probably brought back some memories of Paul's past when he was pursuing the followers of The Way and seeing them killed for their beliefs. All of this didn't make Paul fall back or quit, It caused him to turn to God for even more strength and guidance, and God came through. The question is "Without God's help where would we be?" In a "heap of trouble!" But we still try to do things on our own without relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are not to be people who try to do everything on our own, but people who rely on the Spirit's power to live every moment of our lives. This desire drives us to prayer, Bible Study, and commitment. The writer of First chronicles wrote the following in 1 Chronicles 16: 11 Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
This is a call for all of us to remember that God is our strength and a very present help in our times of trouble. The writer went on in verse 12 to say the following: 12 Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given. Don't fall into the trap of believing that God was strong then, but He isn't so strong now. In Psalm 46 the writer speaks of God being a very "present" in our times of trouble. He is present and accounted for every time. Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Even in our weakness, God is strong. Once again, Paul, who was constantly hit at every turn by religious, false beliefs set forth by those early doubters, kept on fighting with the strength provided by God. Paul had a very unique way of looking at his weaknesses and in 2 Corinthians 12:9 he makes a bold statement about his reliance on God. 2 Corinthians 12: 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. When Paul called out to God for help the above words were God's reply to Paul and Paul kept on going.
What do you do when you are beyond all your strength? You rely on God. Why? His strength is perfect! God's strength is true strength and I need it. Don't You? Ask Him for it and you will find a limitless reservoir of that strength just waiting to empower you to live the life He has called you to live. True strength is God's strength.
Vesselogical Out,
David Warren
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