When I Am Weak

Raisin, Kealani and Bindy

Have you ever noticed that as folks get weaker, with age or extreme illness, the spirit in them shows itself more. Defenses are down and the facade is is harder to maintain, so whatever has been in residence becomes apparent - and, more importantly, stronger. That nice smile that was fake all along disappears along with the pleasant disposition, and any pseudo charm. I'll bet plenty of nurses would attest to this. In the case of someone filled with the Holy Spirit, it's not a bad thing, at least in one sense. As the Lord spoke to Paul, after he had asked for healing three times:

"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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I remember clearly the death from bone cancer of a friend of ours, Steve Coyle, who was so encouraging to his visitors, when they were obviously depressed at his illness, who was such a vibrant light in spite of what he was going through, that several nurses and his doctor as well, came to a saving relationship with Christ, because of Christ's Spirit shining in him.

On the other hand, those with unclean spirits, in a state of bondage to agents of Satan, full of fear, resentment, hatred, lies, etc., don't display such a noble picture. So, age or debility is not an excuse for giving in to fear or to despair. Or, for wrongly judging God as Job did, and many of us are tempted to do when tragedy strikes. We can be assured that God's loving kindness is unfailing.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalms 103:14

I'm reading through Job right now. Not my favorite book. But a lot can be learned from it. One lesson is that we can get totally wrong advice from friends, even believers, who judge based on appearances and mistaken assumptions.

Another lesson, that age is not necessarily an ingredient of wisdom. Job and his friends were all old (Job 32:6), but not all wise. Spiritual maturity and wisdom are not chronologically acquired. Though the younger friend's speech is harder to take (Job 32-37) and, only the Lord's interruption stops his 6 chapter rant. I have to confess I skimmed over it. The missing ingredient is "constant use" or continuing application of learned spiritual truths.

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:14

It is one thing to learn and another, as important, to apply habitually.

You've probably figured out some sort of connection with the photo by now. Kealani is weak, but the horse's power can be appropriately shown through her skill in riding. She's learning.