Power in Weakness

 

Ephesians 6:10

Each morning of late, my day begins in this way; I read devotions from Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost For His Highest” and I am amazed at the insights and depth of this man.  Then I read something like the verse listed above, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”  Wow, now I can take on the day with a new authority and boldness, Oops, that’s not what happens; most of the time I read past that verse looking for something in the verses to come that will make me strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

I of all men must be the simplest, and I ask myself this question, how can an Oswald Chambers find such great treasures and I read past them looking for something that will make me ready for the battles of that day?  It is important to confess this truth, I am simple in this regard, I’m uncomplicated, what you see is what you get, and I will never be thought of by anyone as a deep thinker.  However, Oswald and I have a lot in common, we both have the Spirit of Christ living in us, we are members of the same family, and both of us were adopted into the family of God.

Therefore, what is my problem?  I believe the Spirit of our Lord spoke this truth to me,  “take every thought captive, Bob.”  For months, I have been studying the heart, and have come to this understanding, that a war is raging for control of my mind and my heart.  Jesus said; “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)   With that as a backdrop, I turned to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world. (Or, do we?) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

My strength in the Lord, has much to do with resting in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 2:1, and grace always shows itself strong in love, 1 Corinthians 16:13.  Many Christians are taken captive in both mind and heart because they refuse to be strong in the strength of His might, and that is found in weakness.  It is a wise man that finds agreement with God, who submits to His authority and control, the apostle Paul was a man like that, you and I can be men like that, but it will require weakness, not our strength.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 gives this insight; “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice my blog; http://fromourbackporch.blogspot.com/