Volume 47   Number 3                                                          November 2004

Poor - sick - slave - downtrodden - disadvantaged - dishearten - heavy laden - over matched - outnumbered - meek - limited capabilities (both mental and physical), are all words that relate to weakness.

As I read and listen to others, this message becomes more clear to me: GOD shows HIS power through the weakness of man! There are many examples of this through out the Bible. GOD says so in the reply to Paul's request to remove the thorn in his flesh: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'"(2 Corinthians 12:9)

If GOD did everything through the power of man, what value would it have? Man would claim glory in his actions, instead of giving the LORD the full glory. The pot can only show the glory of the potter. It can not do anything on its own.

Which would be more impressive, that which is done through power or weakness? Man can do many things through power and numbers. GOD is able to do those things which man can not do. How many times have you heard man give THANKS TO THE LORD for being spared in a situation where it seemed to be complete doom?

We must give glory to GOD at all times because where would we be without HIM. GOD is with us at all times, so out thoughts and actions determine the outcome of GOD's grace. He has given us the guide lines in HIS BOOK. We must remember that this is HIS creation and that we are here for His glory.

There are many examples throughout the Bible. I will list a few here but I am sure that you will be able to find many more. By looking for them will give you a greater idea of how the LORD wants us to be. We are weak, but He is strong. We have faith and He has grace. We have duties and He has glory.

The main example of glory through weakness is of course JESUS. He did not come with power but with mercy and He had to face great odds. He won in a situation where it was thought that He had lost.

The next example is well known. It is the parting of the sea, Exodus 14:13-30. Another can be found in 1 Samuel 14:6-15, where we read of Jonathan's victory. You may recall how he and his weapons carrier defeated a much larger number of the enemy. We read again in Judges 7:1-25 of Gideon's 300 chosen men. We know the story of Samson, also the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Daniel 3:19-29). JESUS healed so many people that all could not be recorded.

I can include myself in this examples. After I received severe head injuries in an auto accident which affected my memory, I attained the rank of Chief in the Navy (for you in other branches of service, not familiar with naval terminology - E-7). "SO WHAT!?" you might say. I never had any formal education in my field (which includes electronics and computers). No school, only training manuals and QuaIs manuals. Retired from a school district after many years where I drove a bus and did maintenance work, which included any and everything that you can think of, which a school district may require. The last 5 years, I held the job of carpenter (more of cabinet maker) again with no formal education (outside high school) Had two supervisors who tried to find a way to get me fired. Both departed by request. On a valuation scale of 5.0, I was evaluated at 2.9. When I married my wife who worked in a very high secure job, I had to be investigated. Thus my files from service and work ended up in her file. My work record showed a 5.0 evaluation. My wife who had to have a great deal of training and education, held a grade 7 security clearance. My security clearance came back at grade 8 L (which is higher). My wife did not tell me this for some time due to ego.

I cannot brag about my abilities because I know that they are less than others. Those things that I can brag about I must owe to the grace of the LORD; the things I did on my own I do not wish to discuss. GOD shows His glory through my weakness. I could not have accomplished what I have on my own. I have had persons inform me that they did not wish to associate with because my mental state did not equate with theirs. But over the years my bottom line has out performed theirs. So I owe GOD and give HIM all the glory for all of my abilities and accomplishments such as to be able to put on paper these words and those of the past.

Thank GOD for His grace. Thank the LORD for providing the Way!