Strong Weakness
"And
He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made
perfect in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
It was stressful. The "crash" of
our main computer shook me, because I saw my lack of strength. The good
news is that I clearly saw my need of God.
We sought prayer and also help from
computer experts, and were given the tools needed to reload the
www.fridaystudy.org website. All seemed to be working. I was
writing and editing, trying to figure out how to type on a laptop,
though my fingers seemed too big for it (where WAS the delete key,
anyway?). Another problem arose but calls to our friend Ernie (who
knows computers) resulted in a telephone “fix”, and off we went again -
all seemed well.
But then I looked to see if it was
loaded properly, and it seemed right, except for one thing - the Sunday
Sermon wasn't there! The link from the "Sunday Sermon" page didn't work
and even though it was uploaded, the people couldn’t see it! When they
went to "Bread And Stone" for 2/3/02, they read, "The
Page You Are Looking For Is Currently Unavailable!" Oh, no.
It reminded me of the time I lived
in San Jose and visited my mother in Southern California. She told me
about her TV reception and expected me to fix it. It seemed easy
enough, because I wiggled the antenna wire and saw the effect on the
screen - she needed new wire! And maybe the antenna was bad, too. I
got out the stepladder, pleased to help her.
Up the ladder and onto the roof, and
sure enough, the antenna was bad. No problem, I would replace it. Just
go to Radio Shack, buy wire and a new roof antenna, and she would be
happy. But by then, my mother had come out of the house and was
standing in the driveway. She saw me on the roof and shouted those
familiar words, "Come down, Ronald, you'll fall."
And suddenly, I was afraid of heights again, just like before. My body
became stiff and movement was difficult.
I did manage to get down, but it
shook me; and then she told me, "Don’t bother with
it, dear – It’s all right!" I went to Radio Shack, but didn't
buy an outside antenna. She got a good set of “rabbit ears”. She was
happy and I didn't have to go up on the roof again. So many times we
accept second best, just because we’re afraid.
This was much like last week’s
breakdown of the computer. Any creativity went down the drain and I was
afraid to try anything because it might get worse. And sure enough, I
did try something, and DID make it worse. But it wasn't unfixable,
because Ernie walked me through on the telephone. Thanks, Ernie (and
thank You, Lord). But I was still upset and became “stiff” in prayer,
just like when I was on that roof.
Then I received this paragraph via
email, from Don Araiza: “A young boy was walking
with his father along a country road. When they came across a very large
tree branch the boy asked, ‘Do you think I could move that branch?’ His
father answered, ‘If you use all your strength, I'm sure you can.’ So
the boy tried mightily to lift, pull and push the branch but he couldn't
move it. Discouraged he said, ‘Dad, you were wrong. I can't do it.’ His
dad said, ‘Try again.’ This time, as the boy struggled with the branch
his father joined him and together they pushed the branch aside. ‘Son,’
the father said, ‘the first time you didn't use all your strength - You
didn't ask me to help’.”
People were praying for the ministry
and God answered in an interesting way. As we were driving to the VA
Hospital to meet Jonathan at the Spinal Cord Unit and view his racing
wheelchair, the Lord revealed the newest problem to me, and the solution
- I knew how to fix it!
The computer assistance was
WONDERFUL and we would have been "down the drain" without it, but this
was extra special; this was different. I'm not a "technical" guy. (I
just do Bible studies). If it's broke, I'll probably electrocute myself
or at least make it worse if I mess with it. But God answered our
prayer, by selecting the least likely person and using him (me) to fix
it. He has you in mind, too. His strength works through “weak” people.
In last week's sermon "Bread
and Stone", we found that God ALWAYS answers prayer, though not
like we would expect. And He tends to use people we might not
anticipate, for jobs they actually cannot do. Paul the Apostle needed
to see that GOD was in control; not him. He came to understand that
God's "grace is sufficient for (His) strength is
made perfect in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Lord uses
us just as we are.
There is no way we can do the will
of God - except in the power of God. Charles Spurgeon said, “the
way to grow strong in Christ is to become weak in yourself.” It
sounds opposite to everything we have ever been taught, but it’s right
for you and me. The key to everything is to see all things in
perspective. We were not created to go it alone. You and I were
designed to act in concert with God and also with one another.
"My grace is
sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9). We see this often in
Scripture, like when Paul said, "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). HE
will get you through. HIS strength works in weak people.
In Psalms 43:5 we find: "Why
are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and
my God." God is the help of YOUR countenance (He will put a
smile on your face), and He is YOUR God (He will bring you through). He
is strong and you are not, but He loves you and me.
George Mueller, the great man of
faith, said (in relation to "for I shall yet
praise Him" - Psalm 43:5): "More prayer,
more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result will be
blessing, abundant blessing. Thus I have found it many hundreds of
times, and therefore, I continually say to myself, ‘Hope
in God’." God is greater than your limitations.
Deep within us, we find “signposts”
that say "Keep Out" to God. Don’t touch my body, Lord; not my child, my
money or my work. It’s time to trust Him in EVERYTHING and see God's
strength operating in you. Do you want the joy of the Lord? Take down
your "Keep Out" signs, and trust in Him who will deliver you from all
your fears.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
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