Why "Strength in Weakness"?

Whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual or something we imagine, strength is the means by which we are able to do everything from the time we take that first step out of bed until we do it again the next morning. The word “strength” implies a certain amount of energy; it implies a will, it implies perseverance. Every single person on this earth operates on strength. It comes and goes, it waxes and wanes, at certain times it is abundant and at others, we feel as though there is none. What really matters, though, is the source of that strength and where we place our faith to give us strength. There have been countless times in mine and Kelsey’s lives (as there will continue to be, I’m sure, unfortunately) when the source to which we’ve looked for strength is ourselves. When this is the case, I can’t say that we’re always without strength and unable to persevere through anything; but I will say that when we have depended on our own abilities for the strength to endure even marginally difficult circumstances, the level of dependability of our humanity to supply that strength is consistently low. Through a number of circumstances (some seemingly menial and some pretty serious) God has brought us to a greater realization that our abilities are weak and we have very little strength to endure when circumstances become increasingly difficult. How awful it would be if we, as humans, were brought to this realization and left with no further hope of strength, only to trudge through the remaining days of this life with whatever strength our undependable selves could inconsistently provide? Praise God that the truth is not that grim! In an encounter Paul has with the  living God in 2 Corinthians 12, God reminds him of where (or rather, in whom) the only true, dependable and sufficient source of strength lies. After Paul pleads with God to remove his own incapacitating trial, God surprisingly refuses to remove the trial and directs Paul toward the eternal source of strength which is God Himself. God even goes so far as to say that when Paul is weak, His power is then made perfect. God’s strength and man’s strength cannot compete. It is only when we come to the end of ourselves and see that we have no true strength within us, that God’s sufficient power, grace and strength can be magnified to its fullest degree. Thus, the reason for our title. When the world sees God’s children undergoing trials, yet remaining joyful and strong, there is obviously something outside of ourselves sustaining us.

God’s strength in our weakness brings Him great glory.