Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12 v 8 - 10: "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Apostle Paul.
There is never a situation nor condition which causes weakness in us that Jesus will ignore. The power of Christ will rest on us to add His strength to our weakness. I can personally testify of many occasions when He added His strength to my weakness and the results were remarkable.
I was preaching and ministering away from home, and this last stop involved travel by car from the coast of Port Elizabeth to Bloemfontein about 8 hours away. Thereafter to drive home another 4 hours. A tiring journey in itself.
In Bloemfontein I was ministering in an African church of about 1500 people. I gave an altar call and the whole church responded. My two sons started praying at one side of the church, and I on the other. At some point the pastor returned bringing a young girl with Him. His daughter. She had an inoperable growth on her spine about the size of an orange.
By this stage I was exhausted. My strength had ebbed away and this new challenge was beyond my ability to cope with. I laid my hands upon her and asked Jesus to heal her. Soon after we left and my eldest son drove us home.
The following morning the first call of the day was from Pastor Isaac. He healed her, he shouted, the growth has gone, she is well. Truly a time of praise and thanksgiving as Jesus did more than I could ever do, He added His strength to my weakness and a miracle happened.
You see, Jesus wants the glory, not because He is in any way vain, but when He is lifted up He draws all men to Himself. We are but broken vessels through which He pours His love to a fallen world. The more broken we are the more useful we become to God's kingdom.
Those who have never been broken are like wild horses, very headstrong and not easy to persuade. They are full of themselves and need to be broken so that all their self-aggrandizement can leak out through the cracks and they become humble before the Lord.
Paul knew that when he was at his weakest, Jesus within his heart would add His strength physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually so that he lacked nothing. This is the true riches, the treasure within that flows like a living fountain and goes as far as the Lord wills it to go. It's never our will, we must find His will and then our sails are set and He blows our boat to His chosen goal. It is available for everyone who recognizes and acknowledges that without Jesus we are without strength.
Jesus gives us a person to pray for who has an insoluble problem. Science, doctors, medicine, surgery cannot offer any real or lasting hope, great though they may be. We gather to pray and we have no clue as to what God intends for that soul, that life. We must put aside every thought and listen to His voice. We are weak in knowledge until we feel His presence among us and everyone adds the inspired visions, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophetic words and revelations He gives that brings light into that dark place.
We now know what the Creator has in mind and it strengthens our Faith and confidence. He made this person and He loves him and has an answer that will deliver such a one from sorrow and pain. We know when the Lord has a plan because unusual things occur to confirm it, and there is an excitement within us that cannot be contained. It's the joy of the Lord, that strengthens us in our weakness.
So if you are in a weakened condition ask the Lord to add His amazing strength to your weakness. Feel His Spirit rise up within you and find yourself able to do the impossible. In John 10 v 10 He says: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
The thief is Satan who hates God's creation, us, and can only hurt God by stealing our peace and joy, killing or destroying us. Jesus comes to turn the tables on him and give us life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father how mighty You are, and yet You are mindful of each one of us. You knew we would be weakened and You sent Jesus to turn that weakness into strength. Help us O Lord to receive Your pure strength to overcome the enemy, for ourselves and those around us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
