Strength in Weakness

Sunday 17 July
READ: Psa. 61:1-2
MORE LESSON: Luke 22: 40 - 45

There was a time when Absalom conspired against his father King David and deposed him from the throne. He took over the king's concubines and sent him out of the kingdom. As David was running away from being killed by his own son, an unbeliever followed with insults and curses (2 Sam 16:5 – 13). This was a situation of great anguish for David as his own son sought his life and disgraced him. When he was in this state of great pain, he said, Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I: Psa. 61:1-2.

Though in great pain, David didn't complain or speak against God; he cried to God. Strong men also get to the place of weakness, but when they start to get faint, they don't turn their backs on God. The time of weakness and challenge is the time to come to God. The place of weakness is the right place to cry to the Lord. It is a grave mistake to leave God because you are in trouble. It is a deadly step to become embittered against God and turn away because you get to a place of discomfort.

In Luke 22: 41-42, Jesus got to the place of weakness. He had a challenge in front of Him which His strength couldn't carry through. He was demoralised and full of anguish, and His disciples were equally weakened because of the sorrow. Jesus, in the time of weakness, prayed to God. He ran to God when He got to the place of weakness and not away from God. The disciples, on the other hand, were so weak that they began to sleep. The time of weakness is not the time to sleep and cry. For instance, losing a loved one is a very challenging incident that brings weakness of heart, but the response is not to keep crying and refuse to go to church.

At the point of weakness, Jesus prayed and the Bible records that an angel came to strengthen Him. The angel strengthened Him because He prayed. In Luke 22: 44, the Bible says that being in an agony He prayed more earnestly... The more the weakness, the more should be your prayer, the more the agony, the more should be the prayer. Do not allow any weakness, agony or challenge to weaken you so much that you cannot pray anymore. Do not allow anything to so disturb you that you shut yourself away from God.

Weakness and challenges should drive you to the place of prayer because there, you will find strength in weakness.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God to grant you strength in weakness.
* In the days of adversity my strength shall not fail me.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I declare, even if gross darkness covers the whole world, God's light of glory shall shine upon my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus.