My Strength in Your Weakness
by Margaret Southey
This scripture has recently come alive for me. What a revelation and a blessing! By and large, I’m not a fearful person, but there’s one area in my life where fear can loom quite large. I know a fair amount about what Scripture says about fear. I’ve had ministry into it and know that F.E.A.R. can stand for ‘False Evidence Appearing Real’.
There are many times when I’ve asked the Lord to make me strong in the face of the enemy’s lies that bring fear, so I can have the victory. A while back, I remember once again crying out to the Lord, “If I could be strong in the face of this fear, I would, but I can’t. I’m not strong. I’m weak.” A gentle voice replied, “Weakness is good. Now that you acknowledge your weakness, I can work.” The Lord then explained to me that, if He had made me strong as I requested, I would have relied on myself and had confidence in my own ability to be strong. In my weakness, I must rely on Him.
Isn’t that how He wants us to be - dependent on Him? This revelation from the Lord was a turning point. What a relief! I don’t have to try to be something I’m not. Also, I can rely on Him who’s able, instead of trying to rely on myself, who am not.
He then showed me that, when faced with fear, I can take refuge behind His shield, ‘But You, O LORD, are a shield for me’ (Psalm 3:3). I do that now when the enemy whispers lies into my ear. I no longer try to fight him, but rather take cover behind the Lord’s shield and allow Him to fight for me. And he does. And I feel safe instead of fearful.
The Message bible uses words that are so apt: ‘… Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that I don’t have to try to be what I’m not and what You never made me to be. You are everything I need. All I have to do is to take refuge in You and trust You to undertake for me.Amen.
Margaret Southey is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has had a career in education. Her passion is to understand the truth of God’s Word and to share it with others. She is part of the ministry and teaching team of Ellel, Africa.
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