I was a really skinny kid. To look at me now you wouldn’t know it, but my arms were like pipe cleaners and my legs like pick-up sticks. Really.
I was embarrassed at swimming parties and felt ashamed to wear my basketball jersey ‘cause my shoulders could barely keep the straps up. I remember going to picnics and participating in tug-o-wars with futility. A close personal friend, who was as strong as I was weak, could grip my wrists and slap me silly with my own hands. I know the feeling of physical weakness and it is very uncomfortable.
Way back then I could never have admitted what I have just shared with you. I think the reason I can easily do so now is because I’ve discovered a weakness far more distressing than a physical one; I have observed the weakness of my soul. Doubting when I should believe, striving instead of resting and trusting, trying like a first grader to ‘do it myself,’ when I should be on my knees pleading for the strength that is perfected in our weakness—if we would just humble ourselves and ask for it. Do you relate? Ready for some good news?
Strong enough to save me from my fears about the future or my shame over a past that cannot be altered, though I wish so much I could do some things differently.
Stronger than my tired prayers with well-worn phrases and weary pleas.
Stronger than my need to check the boxes of uncertainty so everything can be settled.
Stronger than the enemy of my soul whose fiery darts pressure me to think about profitless things.
I remember the first time I heard the song “Strong to Save” – I was needing a fresh faith connection with the God of the universe, who never grows weary and offers His strength in the face of what seems impossible to us. WOW! Such a simple truth – Jesus Christ is strong to save.
“Strong to save from what?” you ask. Strong to save from whatever would cause you doubt or discouragement today. I listened to the song again this morning alone in my office at home. The words filled my soul and forced my hands into the air in heartfelt worship. Tears in my eyes and a broad smile on my face. Jesus Christ is above all death, above all life, above the battles that we fight, above any other name—our God is strong to save. Above the heavens and the earth, above the rulers of this world . . . Yes, yes! YES, He is!!
Listen to the song below and bow before the God who made you. Confess your weakness as a servant of the gospel and ask Jesus Christ to move in obvious strength above all that weighs you down today. Tell the Lord how hopeless and helpless you are without a steady infusion of His strength. Ask for it, believe you have received it, and go in that strength to serve Christ’s church this week.