WHCC eNews ~ November 28, 2012 Why Weakness? Principle #1 Most of us struggle with some sort of weakness. One person has recurring headaches. Another's vision is impaired. Someone else can't bend over or lift anything without pain. If it's not allergies it's asthma or arthritis. Everywhere you turn there's all manner of disease, defect, or disorder. Why? Some blame it on bad habits or a weakened gene pool. Others say it's just our fate for having eaten the forbidden fruit in the Garden. Surprisingly, the Bible indicates weakness has benefits. The psalmist wrote, "It is good for me that I was afflicted" (Psalm 119:71). In the weeks to come I'd like us to explore some of these benefits of weakness. Today I remind you of that strong man Samson . . . who became weak at the hands of Delilah when he broke his vow of consecration to God. Yet the New Testament includes his name in Hebrews 11 -- that great Hall of Faith. There we read, "And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight" (Hebrews 11:32-34 emphasis mine).
"Samson at the Mill" by Maurice Theodore Mitrecey
As you can see by my underlining, I believe the phrase "from weakness were made strong" is a reference to Samson. I understand the Bible to teach that Samson's weakness (for having violated his vow) eventually brought him to his senses. At the end of his life he humbly recognized the Source of his strength and cried out in faith to God to "please strengthen me" (Judges 16:28). Samson didn't need anyone or anything -- until his whole world caved in and he became weak like any other man. The strong man Samson... had to become weak in order to need God's strength. Blind and grinding in prison, his spiritual eyes were opened and he saw his need for God to strengthen him. Principle: Weakness helps me realize my need for God's strength. Your weakness is actually a God-sent blessing to strip you of self-sufficiency and cause you to trust His strength. What will you do about your weakness? Resent it and the God who sent it? Or own that weakness as an invitation to trust God for His strength? Blessings,
P.S. I know a number of you have profited from various weaknesses and afflictions. I welcome your insights on this matter and would appreciate it if you'd share them with me.
