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Listen while you read: "God Sees The Little Sparrow Fall"1 (Lyrics) |
These last few weeks have shown me what tremendous human weakness amounts to. Being an elderly senior, and just getting over a critical illness, shows me what serious weakness can be like. I have never felt so weak and useless as I recover from this illness. How can God use me now? How can I help anyone now? I must admit that this is one thought that I find difficult.
The apostle Paul also felt weak and useless at times, complaining that he had a thorn in his life that weakened him. We don't know what that was, but somehow, I think that it had to do with the people in the church at Corinth who thought that they knew better and wouldn't listen to him. They saw his faults; they saw him as a weak man.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – 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. (ESV)
Like Paul, my true being does not let me use my weakness as an excuse to do nothing. Also, my weakness removes me from a self-righteous, do-gooder, boasting frame of mind. On the other hand, it prevents a self-deprecating sort of feeling: "I am not strong enough for God to use me anymore, right? I am too old. He sees too many problems in me to use me now for His glory. Other people around me are better than I am. God will use them instead of poor little me." Yes, I know. None of this sounds right. Has it been the sin of self-pride controlling me all these years?
Why does God reach out to us when we are down, when muscles can hardly keep one upright? When I feel really good, I expect God to use me, for I bring glory to Him. But no. That is not right either. With that attitude, I don't bring glory to God. It is His glory that lifts me up. It is all too much for me to do. Do you see the implication? I see me as doing it all and taking pride in who I am and what I can do, but none of that is Christ-likeness.
God blesses humility. As the Holy Spirit picks us up, that is where our weakness comes in. It reminds us of our need for God's strength to accomplish anything for Him. Our need, honestly expressed, opens the door for God's grace. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Prayer: O Lord, we do need You. Without Your Spirit strengthening us, we are nothing. You are our strength. You are our love. We open to You as each muscle pain disappears in Your healing. Strength fills our bodies with wondrous light as Your love fills our souls with peace. Amen.
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Thinking of you!!
Many prayers Iris. Keep on going by God’s grace.
Dear Iris you kno tha Good works in misterkoiuway just by sending us more writing you are doing God’s work so thank you and I wish you well. Thank you.
Dear Iris:
Carry on Iris, you’re doing a wonderful job!
God bless you and heal you.
Oh Iris – praying for your complete healing and comfort – as you wait.
Thank you for a beautiful message and prayer.
Blessings.
Beautiful witness of God’s continued love and guidance. May HE continue to walk with you and heal you as you SERVE HIM. Grace & Peace Dawn,
(Texas)
Iris, Boy can I ever relate to the mind thinking I can do what my body insists isn’t possible! Yet my spirit soars in worship as if on wings of eagles. It is in those taste-of-heaven moments that I rejoice in God’s enabling presence. Without Him nothing is possible, not even breathing, but as I depend upon Him all things become moments of thanksgiving. Blessings.
Hello Iris:
I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your devotionals very much.
God is certainly using you by spreading His love and encouragement through your writings.
Thank you again.
Blessings.
Good morning Iris, and thank you for today’s devotional. It causes me to have two thoughts……one, that, with your decreased ability to do as much as you used to, is is not possible that God is not saying to you “After all your years of serving me, teaching and helping others, caring for Dorothy, this is now your time to receive what you have given others”? And also, you are still extremely useful in writing and talking so yes, perhaps he is using your “weakness” to spread and share his word and caring in this way. Just my thoughts.
It is neat to watch God bring new opportunities into our lives to show his love. Not I but Christ who lives in me. I speak from experience as health issues have taken their toll with my wife and one of our daughters, but He has also taught us that His Grace is sufficient for every need. I may not like my circumstances, but I can know His peace and joy in the middle of them. God bless you today and keep writing God does supply all of your needs. In Our Lords Service. One of the worlds relics who refuses to quit even though beyond 80 yrs.
My dear Iris,
Your devotional speaks volumes to me! I have become closer to the Lord as I am aware that I am relying more and more on Him. This is His work in us, don’t you think? We are becoming sharper spiritually through these difficulties. I think He is preparing us for leadership roles in the New Heaven and New Earth. What do you think? Thank you for getting into the nuts and bolts of our struggle with self. BTW, I have a new description of myself: I am a woman who is 82 yrs. old, chronologically, with a 90 year old body and a 40 year old brain. Praise God!
Iris: Never fear, The Lord is still using you, every day as you write this article and pray. You have helped me today. And will again in the future.
(Ontario)
Good Morning Iris.
Thank you for the sincere, open-heartedness of your note. Very fitting as we become more aware of our age. We can surely be grateful, for every skill and ability given to us. Praise be to our Father, for passing each one, through our great Redeemer, Jesus.
(USA)
Iris I find this devotional very inspiring. Thanks. Bless you.
Iris – So well expressed!