Sermon On Challenging Weakness With Strength

Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman once remarked: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Psalm 34:17-20 reminds us: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”

One of the many definitions of weakness is explicated as being in a condition or state of pusillanimity. To list but a few examples, weakness can include a strong lack of resolve, inconstancy, debility or a lack of commitment to continue the pursuit of success. It primarily consists of the possible reluctance, but inevitable acceptance of what appears to be a predestined course in life, to which there may be no deviation, rather than rising to the challenge imposed by initial failure, or rejection and trying again. Although life can be unprecedented, setbacks or adversities often occur. These may be viewed by those of discernment as trials and tribulations that directly test an individual’s stamina or resilience. However, to overcome them, we need to be mindful, that many ordeals simulate what they indubitably are, merely tests of strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 confirms: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

The Bible quotes several instances where God ratifies the weakness of man to display His almighty power, forgiveness and strength in defeating the general failings inherent in humankind. Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation of the devil through the amalgam of weakness and avarice. Genesis 3:1-7 informs us: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”

Simon, who's tenacity was rewarded by the change of name to “Peter” by Jesus, even though in Matthew 16:18 it states: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” he denied Jesus three times in the lead up to His crucifixion. Matthew 26:69-75 confirms: “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Elijah, a mighty prophet and a great man of God, who was tasked with many arduous responsibilities in life, including preparing Elisha to succeed him, eventually suffered the torment of vulnerability and fear. He asked God to permit him to die. 1 Kings 19:4-8 confirms: “But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”