HUMAN WEAKNESS and GOD STRENGTH
The strongest of God’s people may experience times of weakness. But when they turn to God, he assures them, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (Judges 2:16:28) Corinthians 12:9).
HOW ONE MAY BECOME WEAK AWAY FROM GOD
Samson is a Bible-example of a strong man of God who became weak; but turned to the Lord to renew his strength.
God had given Samson supernatural strength related to his unshaven hair; and he was being used by God to defeat the enemies of God’s people. But Samson had a weakness for women that were not of God’s people. One of the women, named Delilah, was used by the Philistines to seduce Samson to discover his source of strength. She eventually convinced him to tell her: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.” Delilah lulled Samson to sleep and shaved the hair on his head. Then the enemies were able to subdue and shackle Samson.
However, after Samson’s hair had grown back, the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. Samson was taken out of prison and brought to the temple to entertain a large gathering.
Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.”
28Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”
29And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, 30Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.”
Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life. (Judges 16).
HOW ONE MAY STAY STRONG IN THE LORD
Jesus is a Bible-example of how one may stay strong in the Lord. Jesus always did what pleased God the Father.
Jesus called to mind the words of God to resist temptations of the flesh Matthew 4: . He depended on the power of God to strengthen him to endure an agonizing death on a cross for the sins of the world. (Luke ). He was tempted in all things that humans are tempted in yet without sinning.
HOW WE CAN STAY STRONG OR RENEW OUR STRENGTH IN THE LORD
First, to be a man or woman of God, one needs to be born again of the Spirit of God by believing in the atoning grace of the Son of God for the forgiveness of one’s sin (Ephesians 2:8). For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
By following Jesus’ example we can grow and stay strong in the Lord, for God has said:
- You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
- I will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
- The Lord God has given believers the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and help them obey the Lord (John 14:15-17).
- Working in believers, the Spirit helps to conform them to the likeness of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
Following Samson’s example, we can look to the Lord to renew our strength if we weaken in any area of our lives. For our merciful and loving God said:
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
- If we fall we will rise again no matter how many times we fall (Proverbs 24:16).
