One of the common misconceptions of Christians is that God prefers weakness. And sometimes this misconception is exploited by those who hate God and His church. Some might point to Israel’s weakness at the Red Sea or the weakness of David a young shepherd boy or the weakness of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon, or of course Jesus, God Himself being born as a weak baby and then dying on a cross.
But none of these stories actually prove that God prefers weakness. In fact, in all of these stories, there is also great strength: God uses Moses to dry up the sea and drown Pharaoh and his chariots; David knows how to use a sling and sword and kills Goliath; God shuts the mouths of lions and defends from a fiery furnace; and Jesus is born to die, but then He rises in great power.
What we find instead is that the message of all these stories and of the entire Bible is that God is not limited by our weakness. Our strongest moments are still utterly dependent on God’s strength. He is the source of all our strength, and so, He is still the only source of strength when we are weak.
In Hebrews, don’t miss the fact that among the heroes of faith some died, some lived, some lost great battles, some won great battles, but the common element to them all is faith. They believed God and obeyed God in their historical moment. What this tells us is not that God prefers weakness, but rather, God prefers His strength and power. His power is sometimes made manifest when He strengthens us and gives us victory. And sometimes He makes His power manifest by allowing us to see and feel our great weakness, so that He can deliver us in His strength.
Therefore, the most powerful place you can be is in the will of God. God’s plan is to show off His power and might. He prefers His strength. So we want to be right in the middle of His plan, right in the middle of His strength, trusting and obeying.
John Henry Grauke says
Thanks for the clarification. It is a very important distinction. I had never heard it or read it as clearly presented.
Chris Gatihi says
Hmmm.. trying to understand the distinction being drawn here. Is your point that we shouldn’t focus on our weakness as an end in itself that God delights in? If so, that makes sense.
Seems like our strength is a hindrance to God displaying His own strength in a way that He alone will get the glory. And so, as you point out, because God prefers His strength, He delights in our weakness *as the best platform* where His strength can be displayed in a way that won’t be confused/associated with human strength. Could you even say that He doesn’t display His strength where it might be associated/confused with human strength?
Toby says
I would point you to Hebrews 11. Doesn’t look to me like God prefers our strength or our weakness. He prefers us to have faith and obey Him, and He works in and through us and our circumstances to demonstrate His strength, whether we live or die, whether we triumph in battle or not. Cheers!
Matt says
Paul says he boasts in His weekness. And God tells Paul that my power is made known through Paul’s weekness.
Chris Gatihi says
Thanks for following up. Your main point to me that God prefers His strength is evident. What’s not as obvious to me is your insistence that *our* strength or weakness is immaterial to God. You pointed to Hebrews 11. But why limit ourselves to just there? What about Judges 7 (referenced in Hebrews 11) or 2 Corinthians 12 (as just two examples)?
It seems to me that for *our* sake (so that we wouldn’t be confused about where deliverance comes from), God appoints that our weakness is where He is most eager to demonstrate His strength (in another example Paul seems to correlate his weakness to God’s power in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5). So it’s precisely *because* He prefers His strength that God prefers our weakness.
And the cross stands at the center of it all. The Lion triumphed (strength) *in and through* what looked like defeat (e.g. Colossians 2:14-15) in being slaughtered as the Lamb (weakness). Notice the ransom (victory) is by His blood (death/weakness) in Revelation 5:9. The cross/weakness is the platform where God most consistently manifests His strength prior to glorification. 1 Corinthians 15:43 seems to sum it up well: sown in weakness (our bodies in this age), raised in power (our bodies in the age to come). Seems this paradigm can possibly be taken beyond just applying to our bodies. In this age, God’s power is mostly veiled by weakness though it is still glorious power (i.e. the weakness of God is stronger than men); but in the age to come it will be totally unveiled.
Or am I totally missing it?
Toby says
No, not totally missing it. Lots of truth in what you say. I would only add that all of our “strength” is utter and complete weakness before God. So “weakness” should be understood in relative terms before God. Samson was a weakling compared to God! So I agree that sometimes the only way God can get it through our thick heads is to display his power in our most obvious weaknesses. But I would say that’s a result of our immaturity and sin, not necessary to God’s work in the world and not necessarily God’s “preference.” Lastly, the Cross *looked* like weakness and defeat, but in reality it was the killshot for sin and death. It was not *actually* weakness. It was the soft spot on the underbelly of the dragon. Cheers!
Chris Gatihi says
I think I get your point now. Agreed. Thanks for clarifying.
Yes, totally, the cross *looked* like weakness but was glorious in power. Agreed. That’s why I spoke of *veiled* power.
Thanks again, Toby.
Tim Roach says
Hi Toby
Could you please consider, if it’s even possible, to format your blog so it can be viewed on a IPhone in landscape mode. Also that it will allow a zoom of the text while keeping all text within the screen.
If you need an example, pastor Wilson’s blog works that way.
This will allow those of us with weaker eyes to increase the font size by simply zooming in with our fingers.
Blessings
Tim
Chad Muller says
Thanks, Pastor Toby! Keep lifting Him up!