GOD finds delight in working through those who confess their weakness and inability. In the day of His power He will take up poor lame Israel and lead them on to glorious victories over their former oppressors. So now He makes the base things and the things that are despised to triumph over the great and mighty of this world. He works with broken vessels. It is when the earthen pitcher is shattered that the light shines out. A crippled Jacob becomes Israel, a prince with God. In our weakness His strength is made perfect.
“‘The lame shall take the prey
And I am lame—
Lame in my inmost soul,
O Saviour, make me whole!
But ever keep me lame enough to be
Of use to Thee.
If Thou shouldst make me strong—
Strong in myself—
To wrestle, fight and pray,
Toil for Thee night and day,
I might unwittingly soon cease to be
Wrecked upon Thee.
So leave me with the lameness Jacob had,
Halting upon his thigh;
That when, amid the battle sorely pressed,
The vict’ry of the Cross is manifest
Through my prevailing prayer, the praise may be
Wholly to Thee.
For here is victory—
Give me the power
To fight until the sward cleave to my hand.
And having overthrown them all, to stand.
And be content for only God to know
Who wrought with Him that day.”
—Mary N. Garrard.