Strength out of Weakness 2
(week 25/05)
Olubi Johnson
In our article last week we saw that God allows weaknesses, trials and afflictions to come against us so that we will use the Word of God and power of the Holy Spirit more diligently to overcome them and so become perfect, entire, wanting nothing. (Jam. 1. 2-5).
Now, God will not allow us to tempted above what we are able to bear at our present level of spiritual development:
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
So, God will always provide a way of escape to overcome the trial or temptation.
However, it is our responsibility to see and take the way of escape: if we either do not see it or we see it and do not take it (i.e. act upon it in obedience) then the temptation or trial will overcome us.
How then do we see and take the way of escape?
By watching and praying when faced with weaknesses, temptations or trials.
Luke 21:36 NKJV: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
James 5:13 KJV: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
We do this by frequently (1 Cor. 14.18) and fervently praying in the spirit with an attitude of love, and acknowledging the Lord, in our thinking, for mercy to be faithful in the temptation or trial.
Jude 20-21 NKJV: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
1 John 5:18 NKJV: We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
1 Corinthians 7:25 KJV: Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
Proverbs 3:6 NKJV: In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
As we do this, God will show us the way of escape and give us the strength to take it. So we will increasingly experience victory over our afflictions:
Psalms 34:19 NKJV: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
