Day 35. God's Power in Your Weakness

Day 35. God’s Power in Your Weakness

A couple of reasons for this day’s Warren writing: First, an understanding that God can use anyone. Many feel inadequate, that because of a lack of skills or unacceptable behavior that their service is inadequate or unworthy. The Biblical narrative speaks loudly that God uses the services of all.

Many of us are in greater danger, this writer included. We have been blessed. Life is good. It is far too easy to believe that we have done it on our own. I’m reminded of God’s great admonition in Deuteronomy as the children of Israel were preparing to cross into the land of Canaan:

“12 When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid wasteland with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, 16 and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. 17 Do not say to yourself, “My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth” (Deut 8:12-18 NRSV)

Humility means that we place our SHAPE in God’s hands. God throughout the entire Exodus story made sure that their freedom from bondage was God’s doing and nothing the children of Israel could do for themselves. So likewise the story of Gideon that Warren cites in today’s reading. There was no magic in how the soldiers lapped their water (Judges 7:5). God could arbitrarily choose Gideon’s army because He was in charge of the victory.

We need to remember not to exalt ourselves, to remain humble and vulnerable, never to say “my power and the might of my hand have done it.” But remember that it is God working through our hands that serves.

So be it.

Rick