Strength in Weakness
In these last days, it is so important for God’s people to know God’s work. In the garden, Adam and Eve only needed to understand one command from God. However, the enemy twisted that command, leading Eve to perceive God differently. This shift in belief resulted in her disobedience, and ultimately, Adam's as well. I hope you can see that one of the devil's ploys is to distort God’s truth just enough to make it seem like God is angry, unkind, uncaring, and wants you to depend solely on yourself.
There are sayings that people have attributed to the Bible but are not really biblical at all. I grew up hearing the statement that, “God helps those that help themselves.” I can’t find this statement anywhere in Scripture; and yet, it has been so ingrained into our way of thinking that it is used as representing God’s Word.
Another statement I continue to hear is, “God will not put more on you than you can handle.” As much as we have used this statement, it is nowhere in the Bible. Where this statement comes from is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able able to endure it.”
The enemy has twisted a verse that was originally written to help us understand how to navigate temptation as believers. Instead, it has been misinterpreted to suggest that the troubles of life and the difficult times we face as humans are something we should handle on our own, without God's involvement. In other words, God will not allow more to happen to you than what He thinks you can handle. Paul writes to the Corinthians in his second letter that, “We do not what you to be unaware brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;”
It sounds like Paul was conveying that he found himself in a situation that was beyond his capacity to deal with and was only able to trust in God for His power to bring him through. If we are not careful, the statement "God will not put more on you than you can handle" can lead to the belief that God is distant. This mindset suggests that when we face difficult times and challenges, we should be able to manage them on our own because God will only give us what we can bear. That statement is such a lie and part of the deception that weaves in us a belief that is not accurate or true of His character and nature. You see, God is working on us being dependent on Him for all of our needs. He is not trying to help us be independent of His presence, but trusting that He is ever present help in time of trouble. (Psalms 46:1)
How can we understand the power of His resurrection if we don’t trust Him to deliver us from evil and the painful situations of life that may lead us to despair? Let me assure you that God is faithful and present to show His strength in your weakness.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, I repent for the times I have trusted in myself to be strong enough to handle pain and tribulations of life. The whole while, I was meant to trust in You to be my All-in-All and to be my Strong Tower of deliverance in Whom I take refuge. Lord, I was never meant to face this life apart from You. I pray and trust that the belief of independence is broken at the cross, and I lay my will at the altar. You are the only One capable of deliverance; and by finding Your strength in my weakness, I recognize that it is only through You that I can be an overcomer. Amen
There are sayings that people have attributed to the Bible but are not really biblical at all. I grew up hearing the statement that, “God helps those that help themselves.” I can’t find this statement anywhere in Scripture; and yet, it has been so ingrained into our way of thinking that it is used as representing God’s Word.
Another statement I continue to hear is, “God will not put more on you than you can handle.” As much as we have used this statement, it is nowhere in the Bible. Where this statement comes from is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able able to endure it.”
The enemy has twisted a verse that was originally written to help us understand how to navigate temptation as believers. Instead, it has been misinterpreted to suggest that the troubles of life and the difficult times we face as humans are something we should handle on our own, without God's involvement. In other words, God will not allow more to happen to you than what He thinks you can handle. Paul writes to the Corinthians in his second letter that, “We do not what you to be unaware brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;”
It sounds like Paul was conveying that he found himself in a situation that was beyond his capacity to deal with and was only able to trust in God for His power to bring him through. If we are not careful, the statement "God will not put more on you than you can handle" can lead to the belief that God is distant. This mindset suggests that when we face difficult times and challenges, we should be able to manage them on our own because God will only give us what we can bear. That statement is such a lie and part of the deception that weaves in us a belief that is not accurate or true of His character and nature. You see, God is working on us being dependent on Him for all of our needs. He is not trying to help us be independent of His presence, but trusting that He is ever present help in time of trouble. (Psalms 46:1)
How can we understand the power of His resurrection if we don’t trust Him to deliver us from evil and the painful situations of life that may lead us to despair? Let me assure you that God is faithful and present to show His strength in your weakness.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, I repent for the times I have trusted in myself to be strong enough to handle pain and tribulations of life. The whole while, I was meant to trust in You to be my All-in-All and to be my Strong Tower of deliverance in Whom I take refuge. Lord, I was never meant to face this life apart from You. I pray and trust that the belief of independence is broken at the cross, and I lay my will at the altar. You are the only One capable of deliverance; and by finding Your strength in my weakness, I recognize that it is only through You that I can be an overcomer. Amen
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3 Comments
Thank you for bringing to light both of these expressions. They were said many times in our home when we were kids. I am my husband and I had said these to our children.
Elder Pearson, What an insightful devotion. I too have heard and said these cliches many times. I am grateful for you showing us the truths through Biblical references. I will never hear or try not to say them without thinking of what I have read today. Thank you for showing us how quickly the devil can twist things for his purpose. Thank you for giving us ammunition to fight back and trust our God in times of need. Amen
Thank you