DEVOTION//Strength for the weak

Are you an elite athlete? Neither am I.

Are you a regular, in pretty good shape, athlete? Neither am I.

Are you an armchair athlete? At least that’s closer to what I am.

Physically weak

The vast majority of us, both men and women, stopped being athletes after high school. Another large portion stopped being athletes after college. By the end of our twenties, most men (more ladies stay in better shape than we guys do) and a lot of women, are no longer athletic. We are not in good shape unless you say, “But round is a shape.”

Being weak physically is bad enough. Being weak spiritually is awful.

Being weak spiritually doesn’t have to be accepted.

Spiritually strong

There is strength for anyone who realizes that they are spiritually weak and need help. Nor is gaining spiritual strength long hours at a gym and no longer eating pizza. – besides, I love pizza.

Jesus is our help for spiritual strength — true strength — lasting strength.

Jesus set aside his true strength as God to take on our weaknesses. Then he died for our weaknesses, our sins. He overcame our three greatest weaknesses,

• the curse of sin and the weaknesses sin causes,

• the weaknesses thrust upon us by a sinful world, and

• the weaknesses that Satan wants to crush all people.

Jesus strong

Jesus overcame all our spiritual weakness so that he could give us his strength. Jesus gave us the strength of forgiveness, the strength of faith, the strength of a life with hope, and the strength of eternity in heaven.

Through Jesus, there is strength for us who are spiritually weak.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32).

Source: J. Bauma