Weakness and Strength

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 1min
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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Christ “was crucified through weakness,” yet raised from the dead by the power of God. The instruments God then uses for preaching the gospel are only poor, weak, defenseless creatures without any carnal weapons to carry on their warfare. Yet the charge was given them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:1515And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)). It is easy to see that for the carrying out of this charge some unseen strength was needed. We see, for example, a few fishermen preaching the gospel, and thousands bowing to the authority of that name which they preached, while the world power sought to silence them and stop their work. Yet undismayed, these poor, despised fishermen go on with their work. What was the secret? God was with them. The rulers lay their hands on them and put them in the common prison. The next morning they are found again standing in the temple and preaching to the people “all the words of this life.” The Apostle Paul was delivered out of the mouth of the lion (2 Tim. 4:1717Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17)). Here was true strength and real courage, but it was strength in the midst of utter weakness, and courage when there was no hope in human resources. It was the power of God. It was all of God who wrought in them effectually for the carrying out of His purposes.
A. H. Rule (adapted)