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In the life of many of the saints we see human frailty and the power of
God. With Samson we see abject weakness when his hair is
cut. The power of Samson is God’s power not his and when the
power is withdrawn, we see the weakness of Samson. With Abraham
and Sarah God waits until they are hundred and ninety years old
respectively before he blesses them with Isaac showing that the power
is with God and not with them. Elijah under the anointing
destroys 450 false prophets but when it comes to Jezebel Elijah flees
for his life showing that the power is with God and not with man. The Christian life is a life lived by faith. We have to believe that though we may be weak and frail God can demonstrate his power through us showing us that the power is with God and not with us. St. Paul says “when I am weak then I am strong.” If God is going to use us and if we are not going to get swelled heads then God may very well bring us to the place of complete weakness before he uses us. If you are weak and helpless and feel that you can not do this thing on your own, let faith arise in your heart to believe that God can send his anointing to empower you to do his will in your life and that you may be a blessing to others. Like with Samson, Abraham and Sarah, and Elijah God may wish to reveal human weakness before He blesses. We must continue to confess God’s word. We must continue to pursue the things of God. We must persevere when it seems we can go no further. It is when we are at the end of our rope that God shows himself in his power and God gets all the glory. So do not give up and do not give in and even if you do, know that God can deliver and heal and strengthen you and use you for His glory not yours. It may have surprised you that after you came to the Lord and were baptized in the Spirit that instead of the blessings of God there had come persecution, sickness, and helplessness. It should not surprise you now. It is God’s way of delivering you from pride and self love when He begins to move on your behalf. So be not amazed when the fiery trials come, it is not only a test of your faith but a preparation for the glory of God to be revealed in you when God sufficiently breaks you from self and pride and the world to demonstrate his power through you. Many of the saints were broken before God raised them up and so it may very well be with you as well. Hang in there and keep hanging in there and when you despair of life itself know that God is preparing you for the great things he wishes to do through you for his glory not yours. God will be vindicated in the end if we do not faint. Amen |