Our society frowns on weakness. The weaker ones always seem to get picked on, get picked last, and get pushed to the back of the line or back of the class.
Especially now where it is all about entitlement, rage, me-first, move it lose it; our society is not doing anyone any favors.
Driving down HWY 99 in northern California is enough to prove that people are angry, cocky, trying to prove a point and bullying the underdog.
What has happened? Sin, for one thing. Fear for another. Pride for a third.
God has a lot to say about pride. He despises it.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble Proverbs 16:5 (ESV).
When we try to push our way around, or even our weight around, we are in direct opposition to God. Not pretty.
But when we boast in our weaknesses - notice Paul writes this word in plural - something happens. And that is something we as believers need and want.
THE POWER OF CHRIST WORKING THROUGH US.
I don’t know about you, but it gets me excited and trembling to think that Christ’s power can rest upon me, work through me, be IN me. His power has no end. God’s power raised Christ from the dead - 3 days dead. That power fashioned Creation. That power saved a sinner like me.
And it’s available quite easily. The key? Our boasting.
But wait a minute, we were all taught not to brag - don’t brag on your accomplishments, your life, your stuff. And I’m sure you’ve had more than your fill of those conversations from others at gatherings. Well, we have permission from God Himself to boast.
The King James Version translates it - Therefore will I rather glory.....
Interlinear Bible has it as - Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities.
In the Greek, glory is kauchaomai meaning to boast, to vaunt, to glory on account of a thing.
We are to glory in our sufferings. Our weaknesses. Why? Because it shows that we do not have it all together. It shows that we are NOTHING without Christ. It points to our Saviour over and over again. To be sure, there is a subtlety about the difference. I can boast all day of my pain and suffering - or I can boast on how Christ gave me the strength to endure.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
When we put our conversation on Jesus and His working in our lives, He gets all the glory. Not us. And then His power is over, in, on, through, around us.
I’m in. How about you?
PRAYER
Father God, only You get the glory, not me. I don't want this affliction to be about me, it is about You and Your glory. You do all things for Your glory and our good. May I truly boast of my weaknesses so the glory rests solely on You. Forgive me for having the wrong perspective or even the wrong motive at times. You are worthy to receive honor, power and glory. AMEN
