Grace Perfecting Strength in Weakness

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect inweakness"…He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no mightHe increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (2 Corinthians 12:9 andIsaiah 40:29-31)

When the subject of spiritual strength is raised, our thinking often turns in one of twodirections. Either we consider how we can muster up our own strength, or we dwell on our own weakness, doubting that adequate strength can ever be found. Well, it is clear from the Scriptures that God does not expect mere human strength to be sufficient for our spiritual callings. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall." Natural strength is never more evident than in youth. Yet, even that supply is not what people need for spiritual endurance.

God's word is also clear that an awareness of our weakness need never lead to despairover finding strength. Actually, the opposite is true. When we realize our drastic insufficiency, that is God's reminder to seek His supply of strength. "He gives power to theweak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Those who admit that they are weak are the very ones to whom God offers His strength. Those who confessthat they have no might at all are the people God strengthens increasingly.

It is an amazing truth that God's strength is perfected (displayed the most fully) in the arena of our own weaknesses. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Whenever we agree with God concerning our complete frailty in any given area of life, His grace is available to meet the need. Whenever we personally look to Him to pour out that strength, we will find that it is sufficient. "Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength."

Waiting upon the Lord involves hoping in Him and placing our expectations upon Him, not upon ourselves. For all who depend upon Him in view of their own weakness, "they shallmount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Thereby, our confession can be: "I can do all things through Christ whostrengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).