Our human heart in its brokenness cries out: “I am enough.”, “I can do this.”, “I can handle whatever comes at me.”. It is an attempt to call in strength, to flex our muscles, and to gain confidence. “God won’t give me more than I can handle.” How else can we face our lives full of fear, despair, or inadequacy?
One of the author’s of the Psalms; the great Jewish king David, came up against his humanity time and time again. He knew great truths about God, things not yet played out on earth’s timeline. He also knew about the enemies of his soul and how to fight those enemies. His imperfections, his failures, his inadequacies always brought him back to God who fought for him.
Like the apostle Paul in the New Testament, we need a thorn in our flesh, a weakness, something to remind us of our humanity and our need for God; not just God our father, but Jesus our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit our teacher and Comforter.
I know my weak spots, I have a father who created me with empty spots that need his strength. I have a Saviour whose death on the cross covers my willfulness against God, the part of me that says I can do this on my own, I don’t need him. I have the precious Holy Spirit who moment by moment brings the truths of God’s Word to my heart, showing me my inadequacy apart from him, my strength in him, and my value to him.
Easter is the proclamation of God’s truth. It is a love surpassing all human understanding. It is a joy that endures the cross, despising the shame. It is the defeat of death, the promise of eternal life; an abundant life here and hereafter.
Therefore, like Paul, may we be able to say:
“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.”
Grace and peace to you in Jesus’ name.