Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of God who is our strength. "God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
I am currently battling my second relapse of the flu, an
affliction that started at the end of December. I am learning patience,
caution, and respect regarding this previously-unknown foe. I am hopeful, and
while I use another weekend as an opportunity for necessary rest, I write to
you.
Twice now I have thought I was past the point of danger -
thought I was going to be okay - but I have learned that my body is weak. In
the midst of this struggle, I have considered weakness, and I want to share my
thoughts with you.
First, we are weak. Mankind in general is limited and
finite; he is incapable of facing many of the challenges of life. "Even
the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall"
(Isaiah 40:30). As women, we are the "weaker vessel," and generally
speaking, both our physical and emotional strength are weaker than that of man.
Second, God is strong. "The LORD reigneth, he is
clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath
girded himself" (Psalm 93:1). Nothing is too hard for God, and no enemy
can stand before Him.
Third, God sometimes makes us weaker so we rely on His
strength. "He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days"
(Psalm 102:23). "He will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving
strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we
will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:6-7).
Fourth, our weakness is an opportunity for God to display His
strength. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (II
Corinthians 12:9). If we can do something in our own strength, we often do, and
there is nothing outstanding about that. But when it is obvious to ourselves
and to everyone else watching that there is no way we for us to accomplish a
task, and then God pours out His strength to make it possible, it is obvious to
all that God did it, and He rightfully gets the glory.
With God's strength, Job, whose body was wracked by
debilitating illness, was able to demonstrate to Satan that a believer could
faithfully follow God even in adversity.
With God's strength, Sarah, far past the prime of life, gave
birth to a son, and aged Abraham joined in raising that son.
With God's strength, Jacob, with a permanent limp after his
wrestling with God, led the fledgling tribe of Israel.
With God's strength, frightened Gideon with only 300 men,
routed the army of the Midianites.
With God's strength, Samson, debilitated because of his own
foolish choices, killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.
With God's strength, David, a mere youth, defeated Goliath,
a man of war from his youth.
With God's strength, Jonathan, accompanied only by his
armorbearer, destroyed a garrison of twenty men.
With God's strength, Elijah, under threat of execution and
thinking himself totally alone, oversaw the falling of fire from heaven that
displayed the identity of the true God to all who watched.
With God's strength, Jeremiah, facing perpetual and
universal opposition to his message, was imprisoned, thrown into a muddy well, kept
on short rations, and still continued faithful to the task God gave him.
With God's strength, Daniel, hated for his convictions that
went against cultural expectations, endured life threats and emerged
triumphant.
With God's strength, Paul, pestered by a persistent thorn in
the flesh, preached Christ to much of the known world.
As demonstrated by the above persons, there are different
kinds of weakness. There are temporary physical illnesses, chronic health
conditions, and the effects of aging. There is weakness caused by an overwhelming
schedule or by the special needs of one's children. There is emotional weakness
that threatens to tear one down from within. There is being without a husband
for support, and there is facing the challenges of an often-absent husband who is
required to travel. There is weakness when one is forced to perform a task without
the proper training and experience, or to attempt a job far too big for the
limited supply of helpers. There is
weakness from facing cultural questions that require the wisdom of Solomon,
from living under threats of physical danger, and from struggling under
government restrictions and societal pressures.
Are you weak? Of course, you are. But if you draw on God's
strength, God can do amazing things and achieve phenomenal results through you,
and then He will properly receive the glory. "I will go in the strength of
the Lord GOD" (Psalm 71:16).
"Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,/ A clean vessel
in Thy hand;/ With no pow'r but as Thou givest/ Graciously with each command.
"Channels only, blessed Master,/ But with all Thy
wondrous pow'r/ Flowing through us, Thou canst use us/ Every day and every
hour."
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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