Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ:
Without the Lord’s strength these words would not be. I am at a loss for words, sleeplessness is taking its toll, and continuous illness is dragging me down but I write to you because you need to know that it’s when you are at your weakest, the Lord’s work is the strongest. We think we are the victors, worthy of praise and honor. We believe we are keeping our heads above water, we are winning the battles, and we are overcoming the struggles. Our strength does not win battles, it loses them. Who do we think we are to give ourselves that kind of glory? In our own strength, all we create is disaster. We stumble once, attempt to patch up our skinned knees, and then conjure up a pride-welling motivational speech that we think will keep us moving. A few seconds later, we are found back on the ground. Our stumbling never ceases. Without the Lord’s strength, you will live on your scuffed knees. The question is, "will you look up from there?" We are fighting a losing battle against our own flesh and the evils of Satan. We are turning our backs on the Lord’s perfect plan. To counter these things you must walk up to the foot of the cross and lay down your strength and self-praise. And instead, rely on the Lord’s strength for every breath and step you take. The Christian life is not possible in our own strength.
I do not know why we constantly depend on our own strength when we know our flesh is weak and powerless. Not only are we physically weak but we are spiritually weak. We are sinful creatures that follow our desires when they speed by. Our sin spews out into our actions and taints all that we try to make right. Jesus tells us to “[k]eep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Christ points out this flaw, but we still carry on as if we can do it all on our own, this is the weakness of the flesh. “If we …[take] the glory [for ourselves] His strength [will] go unnoticed” (Roberts). Only when “the Lord takes our hand and makes us strong” (Roberts) do we enter into success. No matter how willing we are, we can do nothing in our own strength. Paul says, “For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it” (Romans 7:18). No matter how much we will it, we are weak in carrying out what is good, which is God’s law. Even if we attempt to follow God’s commands, because we are weak, we will fall into sin. Therefore, the idea of living on our own strength is abolished because it is not possible given our constant failure to do good and follow the Lord’s commands despite our strongest desire.
Satan and his deadly evils envelops us. Temptation is lurking around all corners, present on every billboard, seen in every magazine, and found in every place your eyes may wander. It is extremely difficult to stand strong amidst such persuasive temptation. Satan has fallen; he wants to take you down with him. And, in your own strength, he will succeed. Why would you try to stand up to him alone? Just think, you have the choice of fighting Satan by yourself or you can fight him with the help of the all-powerful God. Any tribulation is bearable, sometimes even enjoyable, when you are in the arms of your King. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10: 12-13). The Lord will be your escape when times get tough. He will only ration out what you can handle and you can trust that God is always faithful. Therefore, we must rely on God for strength because we are not able to stand up against the devil and his wicked plans on our own.
The Lord created us in a way that makes it necessary for us to rely on Him. Our flesh is weak, sin tempts us daily, and our salvation is nothing we have done or can ever imagine doing. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God’s gift of grace allows us to be saved! The reason salvation is a gift and is not able to be earned is so we won’t brag and boast about what we did to be saved but instead see it is from God. If it weren’t for God, we would not be saved and He wants us to realize that. He wants us to see His mercy and grace. Paul says, "For God has made all people prisoners of disobedience, so that He might show mercy to them all" ( Romans 11:32). Can’t you see He wants you to come to Him? He wants you to say Father I need you, carry me. He gave us the gift of salvation so we could reside in Him, why do we stray from Him?
The Lord loves us more than we can ever imagine and He only wants what is best for us, so why don’t we just surrender? In our own strength we will fail, we must trust in Jesus! I pray that you give up your life to Him, tell Him you can’t live without Him, and remember that in His strength all things are possible. Surrender your strength and dive into God’s plan relying on Him to fight “all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Life is hard enough as it is! Just, let go and let God. Rely on Him to be your strength.
God bless,
Amber
2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Works Cited
Roberts, Sarah. Essay on Suffering. California: Sarah’s Services Inc., 2007.
