The Gift of Weakness (1)

The Gift of Weakness (1).

Here is a working definition of weakness as we meditate on this key scriptural idea about our walk with Christ. Weakness is a lack of strength due to: sickness; a handicap; an ongoing difficulty; a distressing hardship; insulting opposition; a glaring vulnerability; a limitation that puts one at a disadvantage; the bearing of a difficult burden of someone else.

Scripture Meditation: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, a weaving together of the Message, NIV, and the Amplified Bible versions: “I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me: ‘My favor and lovingkindness are enough for you; My merciful love is all you need. In fact, my strength comes into its own in your weakness. My power shows itself most effective when you are weak.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, so that the strength of Christ Jesus may pitch a tent over me and dwell upon me. Now I take limitations in stride and with good cheer, taking pleasure in opposition, in bad breaks, in insults, in weaknesses, in perplexities, in distresses, and in all kinds of hardships. I just let Christ take over! For when I am weak in human strength, then am I truly powerful in divine strength. The weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

A Thoughtful Quote, from Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ:  

“The Christian often tries to forget his weakness; God wants us to remember it, to feel it deeply.

The Christian wants to conquer his weakness and to be freed from it; God wants us to rest and even rejoice in it.

The Christian mourns over his weakness; Christ teaches his servant to say, ‘I take pleasure in infirmities; most gladly will I glory in my infirmities.

The Christian thinks his weakness his greatest hindrance in the service of God; God tells us that it is the secret of strength and success.

It is our weakness, heartily accepted and continually realized, that gives us our claim and access to the strength of Him who said, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.'”