Strength in Weakness
“What can I do?”
One of the most amazing functions of the nuance of language is the difference that word emphasis can make on the same simple phrase.
”What can “I” do?”
”What “can” I do?
When the emphasis is on the word “I”, the phrase takes on a sense of despair. This is the cry of someone who has looked at the circumstances, considered their abilities and options and decided that it is impossible.
However, when the emphasis is on the word “can”, everything changes. This is the declaration of someone who has had the door opened to a new world of possibilities. It is a proclamation of hope.
Perhaps, all too often, the Christian subconsciously finds themself surrendering to a misplaced sense of responsibility. As we grow and mature, so many people come to depend on us. We have families that look to us for provision and answers to life’s struggles. We have friends who are going through hard times and need a shoulder to lean on. There are people at our church who are going through things that we cannot imagine and they need encouragement. We face crises in our personal lives such as health, finances, and stress that seem impossible to manage. Then, we feel the burden of bringing the good news of the Gospel to a lost world. And so, we cry, “What can “I” do?”
We would say that we believe in God. We would clearly affirm that we can believe that God can do all things. We may even proudly display a plaque in our home that declares, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” But, in practice, our faith often shows a lot of stress cracks around a fatigued foundation.
II Kings 5:8 relates a story filled with characters at varying stages of grappling with their faith in the sovereignty of God over their personal situations. There is….
An unbeliever who desperately needs God but struggles to practically believe in Him.
A servant girl in an unjust circumstance who still completely believes in the efficacy of her God.
A king who would say that he believes in God but is filled with despair as he bears the brunt of responsibility by himself.
A prophet who is unflinching in his belief in God and refusal to bow to men.
A servant of the prophet who has seen the miracles and goodness of his God but still wants more for his own selfish desires.
Join us the next two weeks as we examine how God can perfect His strength in our weakness and what we cost ourselves when we try to bear the weight of our circumstances on our own.
January 5th – “I’m Not Anybody, But I Know Somebody” – II Kings 5:1-8
January 12 – “The Power Of Humility” – II Kings 5:9-27
Resources:
Song – “So Be It Lord” by The Slays – https://youtu.be/2XQWDuHOHDc?si=MpoJfZWRmbbprghT
Commentary – Matthew Henry on II Kings 5 – https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/2-kings/5#:~:text=No%20man’s%20greatness%2C%20or%20honour,some%20damp%20to%20his%20joy.