25 lines
4.3 KiB
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25 lines
4.3 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 2</div></div>
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<h2>Grace Perfecting Strength in Weakness</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>"My <b>grace</b> is <b>sufficient</b> for you, for <b>My strength</b> is <b>made perfect</b> in <b>weakness"</b>…He gives <b>power</b> to the <b>weak</b>, and to those who have <b>no might</b> He <b>increases strength</b>. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who <b>wait on the LORD</b> shall <b>renew their strength</b>; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',12,9);">2 Corinthians 12:9</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Isa',40,'29-31');">Isaiah 40:29-31</a>)</div>
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<p>When the subject of <b>spiritual strength</b> is raised, our thinking often turns in one of <b>two</b> directions. Either we consider how we can muster up our <b>own strength</b>, or we dwell on our <b>own weakness</b>, doubting that adequate strength can ever be found. Well, it is clear from the Scriptures that God does not expect mere human strength to be sufficient for our spiritual callings. <i>"Even the <b>youths</b> shall <b>faint</b> and be <b>weary</b>, and the <b>young men</b> shall utterly <b>fall</b>."</i> Natural strength is never more evident than in youth. Yet, even that supply is not what people need for spiritual endurance.</p>
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<p>God's word is also clear that an <b>awareness</b> of our <b>weakness</b> need <b>never</b> lead to <b>despair</b> over finding strength. Actually, the opposite is true. When we realize <b>our</b> drastic insufficiency, that is God's reminder to seek <b>His</b> supply of strength. <i>"He gives <b>power</b> to the <b>weak</b>, and to those who have <b>no might</b> He <b>increases strength</b>."</i> Those who <b>admit</b> that they are <b>weak</b> are the very ones to whom God offers His strength. Those who <b>confess</b> that they have <b>no might</b> at all are the people God strengthens increasingly.</p>
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<p>It is an amazing truth that <b>God's strength</b> is <b>perfected</b> (displayed the most fully) in the arena of <b>our</b> own <b>weaknesses</b>. <i>"My <b>grace</b> is <b>sufficient</b> for you, for <b>My strength</b> is <b>made perfect</b> in <b>weakness</b>."</i> Whenever we agree with God concerning our complete frailty in any given area of life, His grace is available to meet the need. Whenever we personally look to Him to pour out that strength, we will find that it is sufficient. <i>"Those who <b>wait on the LORD</b> shall <b>renew their strength</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Waiting upon the Lord involves <b>hoping in Him</b> and placing our expectations upon Him, not upon ourselves. For all who depend upon Him in view of their own weakness, <i>"they <b>shall</b> mount up with wings like eagles, they <b>shall</b> run and not be weary, they <b>shall</b> walk and not faint."</i> Thereby, our confession can be: <i>"I can do all things <b>through Christ</b> who <b>strengthens me</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',4,13);">Philippians 4:13</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord, You are my only hope and my sufficient strength. On my own I am hopeless and powerless. Thank You for Your gracious patience when I think my human strength is enough. Lord, I am weak; give me Your power. I have no might; increase Your strength in me. I wait upon You. I put my expectations in You. Unleash Your glorious grace in me, perfecting Your all-sufficient strength in my life, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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