The story that God has woven throughout creation, as evidenced in Scripture, speaks to the work of God in the lives of earthen vessels. Creation was perverted by the curse of sin but the grace of God purposed to restore that fellowship long before it was ever broken. God is at work in the lives of mankind and He has given us everything that we need to survive. God offered up Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and then He tabernacles within us through the Holy Spirit. We are richly blessed beyond all measure and comprehension. Oh that the story ended at this moment with the war over but the truth is that sin still rages in its lost battle causing as much collateral damage as possible. Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Strength in Weakness
A question of legacy and posterity: Psalms Summary
Hopeless inadequacy and inability broken by the grace of God: Psalm 141
Where does the strength, endurance, and will to press on in life come from? Can we make our own destiny and overcome any obstacle as long as we put our minds to it? If we truly desire to live the best life possible we cannot presume to play a role in its ultimate success. Life is only brought to completion by the grace of God as He is in full control over everything. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of m wickedness with men who do iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies.” Psalm 141:3,4 Do you see how David acknowledges the words of our mouth and the desire of our heart are governed by God. Continue Reading…
Is God enough for you to find complete rest: Psalm 131
Is God enough? Do we find rest in God? We often look upon our lives and think that we need just one more ‘thing’ to make ourselves complete. Why do we long for more? We let ourselves get in our way: we let the pride within us dictate our needs and wants, we let our eyes lust upon the items our pride desires, and we tout how our great intellect helps us. How can we believe that God is enough when we assume requirements from God upon our lives and we think that if we work hard enough we will meet the requirements. Is our busyness an attempt to win God’s favor? Why do we feel compelled to work for our salvation which was completely finished and granted at the cross of Calvary. Continue Reading…
Press on to the next tomorrow because God is God: Psalm 103
How many products do you purchase and consume to combat the effects of aging? We use lotions to soften our skin and disguise wrinkles. We workout rigorously to keep our bodies in shape to hold off the eventual problems of life. We supplement, boost and build up our bodies with herbs, minerals, vitamins and medicines to ease the effects of aging. Is there anything within our power that we can do to turn back the clock and renew our youthful vigor or stop death? We are completely helpless and there is nothing that we can do to empower ourselves. If the story of our lives were left in this state of helplessness would there be motivation to press on in life. Continue Reading…
In complete despair David finds strength in God: 1 Samuel 29 and 30
The fact that God had blessed David while he dwelt with the Philistines becomes apparent when he and his men follow Achish with the Philistine army. When the lords of the Philistines noticed David and his men traveling with Achish they instantly did not trust them. Did God soften Achish’s heart to give favor to David, his men, and their families allowing them to dwell in Ziklag for over a year? The lords of the Philistines gave orders to Achish to send David and his men back to their homes. The renown of David was known to the lords of the Philistines and they didn’t want such a skilled man with them who may turn against them to fight for Israel in the thick of battle. Continue Reading…
David fights Goliath as a jealous Saul looks on in 1 Samuel 17 and 18
Is it easy to become too familiar with stories in the Bible causing us to not reread them to discover the truths they hold. In 1 Samuel 17 the story of David fighting Goliath is retold but it was easy for me to want to read the story with less attention to detail because I know the story? The story of God using a small shepherd by to kill the champion of the Philistines exemplifies God using strength found in weakness to bring down the powerful but what else is conveyed in the story of David and Goliath? What were the thoughts and feelings of the men in the army of Israel as they were facing Goliath? What changes are evident in Saul’s leadership of the people? Did Saul’s lack of dependance upon God transfer into the men he led causing them to become fearful? Continue Reading…
Strength is nothing if not melded with faith in God: Judges 15 and 16
What is the most valuable thing that you possess? Does this possession draw your attention away from God? In Judges 15 and 16 we are given glimpses into the life of Samson continuing from what is described in chapters 13 and 14. He was set apart as a Nazirite from before his birth and it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord was with him. Samson was blessed with an amazing strength from God. He was used by God to begin freeing the Israelites from the Philistines. Samson used the strength which God blessed him with to judge Israel for twenty years. Continue Reading…
Weakened weakness made strong to glorify God: Judges 7 and 8
Gideon is leading the men of Israel to attack the of the Midianites and Amalekites. How many men would you want in your army as you go into battle? Doesn’t the whole battle become a game of numbers game where the army with the the greatest numerical advantage wins? In Judges chapter 7 we see that Gideon has approximately 32,000 men and the men of the Midianites and Amalekites numbered 120,000. There was a 4:1 ratio against the sons of Israel. The coming battle was going to rout the Israelites by all human standards and logic. How did Gideon feel about his odds of victory. He was still unsure if God was truly calling him to deliver Israel. This is a weak moment for Gideon and he needs to depend on God alone for the the deliverance of Israel. Continue Reading…
Gideon’s perfect weakness made strong by God alone: Judges 5 and 6
What response would you expect from a person delivered? What does the repressed person feel when they are exonerated from oppression, pain, and bondage? I think joy and thankfulness would overflow from these freed people. After Deborah and Barak freed Israel from their oppression by the king of Canaan they sang a song. This song is starts in Judges 5:2,3 saying, “That the leaders led in israel, That the people volunteered, Bless the Lord! Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I–to the Lord, I will sing, I will sing, I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.” This song sung, by Deborah and Barak, gives thanks to God for all that He did in helping the people of Israel. Why was a song used to retell what happened? Continue Reading…
