The Battle belongs to God

In the past few months I’ve noticed that the greater faith I have in God, the more I am able to do things I thought I could not do. In other words, faith in me doesn’t work very well. When what I decide to do doesn’t work out, confidence drops. When what God decides to do, it happens. Today’s reading agrees with this:

It is nothing to God to work with many or with few, and no giants or walled cities can successfully oppose Him. It was unbelief, therefore, and unbelief alone that prevented the Israelites from going into the Promised Land. It may have sounded like humility to themselves to talk of their own weakness and of the strength of their enemies, but it was really unbelief.

The devotional author goes on to say that focus is more important than self-image. It might seem humble to focus on my weakness, but that also puts the spotlight on me and my sin instead of Christ. I cannot do what He asks, but He goes before me and works to perfect His strength in my weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

I’ve heard this said flippantly, as if the speaker knew the teaching but it was not part of their experience or a reality that they felt weak. I’ve done the same thing, yet still put confidence in my strengths. It is when I faced “giants in the land” that weakness shows up and it becomes very much a fact that without Christ, I can do nothing.

And this is the odd part: reaching that place is where the life  of Christ and His power becomes obvious. It is in the place where I say “I can’t” and am totally convinced of my weakness. In that place is where another truth is realized:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:3–4)

In all this, another factor is at work — faith. In the face of giants, unbelief gives up when the focus is on me and weakness. Yet Jesus graciously comes to the rescue of those who are helpless. I see Him in a different way when I cannot do what I know He wants me to do. Instead of asking the impossible, He is asking me to let Him do it. Like that hand in the glove. I need to stop trying to move the hand and let Him move me.

Even though I still feel weak and unable. Even though the task seems impossible. And when He begins to move, and I see the results, my faith in Him soars… oh, I know, faith is the assurance of things unseen, yet when He moves, He lets me see it — and He fills my heart with praise and great joy. I want to tell the world about the wonder of Jesus Christ.

PRAY: Jesus, I’m such a small nothing, a tiny blimp in history and in Your kingdom, yet You allow me to watch You change weaklings into conquerors, which is an amazing thing, particularly in the hearts of the weaklings! What You do is upside down and backwards compared to how the world thinks we should live when we want to make things happen. How delightful to be in on this ‘secret’ of living as a weak winner instead of a do-it-myself nothing.

Discerning genuine faith . . .

 

READ 2 Corinthians 9–13

The movie we watched this weekend was filmed in Australia but it seemed to take place in Thailand. Last week another movie depicted a woman trying to sell jewelry given to her by her wealthy husband only to find out it was fake. Many people claim to be Christian but are they? Maybe not, or maybe they are like the Corinthians — genuine but living in the flesh. Being governed by my old nature would cast doubt on my claim of faith in Jesus.

The last part of 2 Corinthians offers some clues to discern what is going on. The first one is about motives for generosity. Genuine faith sees God as the source and is therefore happy to help others knowing He will supply whatever is needed . . .

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction (based on greed) . . . . Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:5; 7–8)

The passage goes on to say that God “who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Faith wants God glorified for His supply and trusts Him to take care of me even if I give away something I need.

Another clue shows up in this verse: “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:12) Genuine faith is not into determining self-worth this way. Faith knows that Jesus died for me and my worth is in that sacrifice, not in anything I have done or can do. I have no need to compare myself or my stuff to others to prove my value.

A third clue is in how we battle sin. The flesh uses tactics out of how-to books but faith relies on God’s power . . .

I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete . . . . Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:2–6; 17–18)

Another clue is that genuine faith is not duped by “false apostles or deceitful workmen disguised as apostles of Christ.” We discern how “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” and are not surprised when his servants do the same. (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)

Also genuine faith does not boast in accomplishments. Instead, we are profoundly aware of our weaknesses and realize the importance of acknowledging them. Paul could have boasted about his natural abilities or his victories, but said, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:25–30) He tells why:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

More clues; faith is “most gladly spent” for others without burdening or taking advantage of them. (2 Corinthians 12:14–17) Faith mourns over sin and desires repentance. It cringes to see fleshy behavior such as: “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder . . . impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.” (2 Corinthians 12:20–21)

The last lines call me to examine myself. Is Christ in me? If so, why let that old nature rule when He enables me to “aim for restoration, comfort and agreement with others” and live in His great peace?

 

Strength in weakness . . .

 

The English word STRENGTH appears in my Bible more than 160 times. Even a quick glance shows the difference between human strength and the strength that God has and offers to those in need. His strength goes beyond adrenalin and any super effort we make because He gives it only when we are at the end of ourselves, without any power to deal with the problem or threat at hand.

Both OT and NT are clear regarding salvation; there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. This is a work of God. Exodus 15:2 says, “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

The NT says in 2 Corinthians 4:6–7, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” and “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The life of faith is not lived in human strength either. The Bible repeatedly says that God’s people rely on God’s strength and outlines many reasons why. For instance, only God has the strength to deal with our enemies whether physical or spiritual.

 David said, “You equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me” and “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger” and “For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me” and “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

Not everyone believed this. Isaiah wrote, “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling, and you said, ‘No! We will flee upon horses;’ therefore you shall flee away; and ‘We will ride upon swift steeds;’ therefore your pursuers shall be swift.”

They found out the hard way that God “gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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.” God’s strength is perfected in our weakness, not built upon our human abilities.

Jeremiah wrote the same thing: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord” and “My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; they were set upon my neck; he caused my strength to fail; the Lord gave me into the hands of those whom I cannot withstand.” Learning we are weak is a painful lesson!

Yet God’s strength is there for us. The OT says, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” and “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.”

 Nehemiah told those who helped him rebuild the wall of Jerusalem to go their way and enjoy their food and “do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Those who learn to live by God’s strength discover a new power against fear and unrest:

Psalm 29:11. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Psalm 46:1–2. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.

His power becomes part of our worship as well as being a new way to live.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12. “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. This focus is easier when I recognize my helplessness as did Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10. “ . . . a thorn was given me . . . to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this . . . But he said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I don’t like being helpless, but God’s strength is worth being weak!