When You are Weak.

I have been reminded recently how weak I am.  It seems like when I have it all together, I find myself struggling, and failing. I suppose that is the danger of overconfidence, it causes us to drop our guard and then, as my friend Doug Stahl says - - BOOOM!  


Matthew 26 speaks of the dangers of overconfidence.  There we find the words of Peter who said in verse 35: “I will never disown you!”  He said also in verse 33, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”  Peter was not fully aware of the weakness of his flesh.  And so, he did not watch, he did not pray, and as a result – he did enter into temptation - and he failed unbelievably so - he denied his Savior.  The one who thinks he has all he needs to stand better be careful, because he is setting himself up for failure!

Robert Murray McCheyne said “I am tempted to think that I am now an established Christian that I have overcome this or that lust for so long that I have got into the habit of the opposite grace – so that there is no fear.  I may venture very near temptation, nearer than other men.  This is a lie of Satan.  I might as well speak of gunpowder getting by habit a power of resisting fire, so as not to catch the spark.  The seeds of all sins are in my heart and perhaps all the more dangerously because I do see them.”

We must never fall into such thinking – we must be ever vigilant – ever watching.  In fact Jesus instructed His followers to watch and to pray?  Why?  Because Jesus knew that we are weak.  Do you know this to be so of you??  Do you know the weakness of your own flesh?  It is important that we know this truth, but let the truth not be a discouragement to you.   In fact – this realization is the first step in finding strength.  You must first agree that you are weak, and with such self-awareness, you may now flee to the one of whom Hebrews 4:15 says: “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

I am weak – and so are you!  But God is gracious to weak sinners in that he has provided the answer to our weakness.  He has provided His own Son, who lived a very real life with very real struggles and temptations and disappointments and weariness and hurt – and yet he conquered every enemy when he rose again from that grave!  And from heaven – that same Son has provided His own presence in the person of the Holy Spirit who now resides in every Child of God to bring strength and direction to empower us that we may live pleasingly before The Father  --  and to bring comfort and assurance when we fail.

Be aware of the danger of overconfidence in life, and thrust yourself entirely, as an absolute invalid, upon the aid of the Holy Spirit.  When you are weak, HE is strong!