In My Weakness, He Is Strong

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; . . . that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’” (‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭1:26-27, 31; NKJV) https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1co.1.26-27,31.nkjv

A lot of the teaching of the Kingdom of Christ is counterintuitive. Most of us, if we were coming to establish our kingdom on earth, would choose a different type of associates than Jesus chose. Like King Arthur of legend, we would choose the mightiest warriors and political allies, with a wizard or two thrown in, if possible.

Jesus did just the opposite. He chose the poor, weak, downtrodden and/or despised. His Kingdom, as He said, was not of this world, so your typical worldly leaders would not do.
I know I’m not nearly the man God needs me to be to face many of the situations I face. I am weak, willful and woefully inadequate to the task. That means I’m right where He wants me. So many of the deliverances in the Old Testament example took place when there was no hope in the flesh; only the arm of God could deliver His people. When they relied upon Him, without fail He came through.

My Pappaw relied on this. Obeying the scriptural mandate to pray for that of which he had need, he cried out to God to heal his crippled legs. Finally one day in prayer, God directed him to a passage of His Word.

“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Pappaw sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to him through this verse, essentially saying, “Charlie, this is my mark on you. What I do through you will not be because you are strong and able but because I accomplish it.” He was used mightily of the Lord as he released himself to His glory.

What do you think is holding you back, keeping you from glorifying God? Release all you are to His use and He will accomplish it.