Promises, promises

10/8

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

One day an eight-year boy went to the pet shop with his dad to buy a puppy. The shop manager showed them to a pen where five little furry balls huddled together. After a while, the boy noticed one in the litter all by itself in an adjacent pen. The boy asked, "Why is that puppy all alone?" The manager explained, "That puppy was born with a bad leg and would be crippled for life, so we're going to have to put him to sleep." The boy asked, "You're going to kill this little puppy?" The manager answered, "You have to realise that this puppy would never be able to run and play with a boy like you." After a short conversation with his boy, the dad told the manager that they wanted to buy the puppy with the bad leg for the same amount of money, you could have one of the healthy ones.

“Why do you want this one?" To answer the manager's question, the boy bent over and pulled up the pants on his right leg, exposed the brace underneath and said, "Mister, I want this one because I understand what he's going through."

The little boy was drawn to the weakness of the puppy because of the weakness in his own life. Only when we realise our own weaknesses can we relate to and help others in their weaknesses.

But is such vulnerability always a weakness. Rather than some body building strengthening often in God’s ways the very weakness is in reality a strength. You see, in this text it does not say that the weak are no longer weak, but are offered an increase in power. But more than that, Paul says of God, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s kingdom does not operate like any earthly kingdom. It doesn’t play by the rules of the world. Instead we see that Jesus’ power is perfected in our weakness.  We often like to downplay our weakness and focus on our strengths. We place the pressure on our own strength to get by. But God claims “My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely.” (J B Philips paraphrase)

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs. Help me to recognise and rejoice in the knowledge that Your power is made perfect in my own weakness. Help me to boast all the more gladly in my inabilities so that Your great ability may be manifest in my life. May everything I do be to Your praise and glory, my Lord and my God. In Jesus' name, AMEN.