God Takes No Pleasure in Your Legs

A few years ago, I wrote a post called “Can You Outrun the Chariots.” In this story (1 Kings 18), Elijah supernaturally outruns King Ahab’s chariots, escaping from Jezebel who was out to kill him for destroying her prophets of Baal.

Chariots represent the might of armies. Man’s legs represent the power of the individual. “God does not delight in the strength of the horse [chariots]; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man” (Ps. 147:10). In other words, it was neither slow chariots nor fast legs that accomplished God's purposes that day. It was the superhuman power of God working through a mere man.

This story illustrates the divine/human partnership where God operates through weak, humble humans. In these perilous times, with events beyond our control, we certainly cannot rely on our armies, and our legs will surely fail us. No, God wants us to relinquish control to Him who accomplishes all things, “Not by might, not by power, by My Spirit” (Zech. 4:6). Only Spirit-filled legs will hold up in the days ahead.

Footsteps

In writing yesterday’s post, “Footprint,” I had a revelation that my footprint is God's to make, not mine. As a disciple, I am called to walk in Jesus' steps, or you could say, his shoes. On the other hand (or foot), as our forerunner, or fore-walker, Jesus did the proverbial walk a mile in our shoes.

The writer of Hebrews says, “He understands our weaknesses since He faced all of the same testings we do” (4:15). And it’s precisely because of that, we can go to Him “to receive His mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most” (4:16).

Two days ago, I wrote this prayer in my journal: 
"Lord Jesus, lead me that I might be 'in step' with You. Give me grace to make the right steps, and mercy for my missteps." If it were not for a steady pace of grace and mercy, His shoes would be too big to fill.

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen!”

The European stock market has taken a nose dive in the past few days. Not only worried about the U.S. economy, they are distressed by fiscal instability of two of their EU member nations—Greece and Italy. The need to bail out these countries has crippled Europe. Has it occurred to you, as it has to me, that these two ‘people groups’ (the Greeks and Romans) were at one time the most power nations on the earth? And now, not only Europe’s weakest, they could topple the entire European (and global) financial system!

Winston Churchill said "those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Similarities between Ancient Greece and Rome and the United States are alarming. Historians contribute a number of factors to their decline. What happened in each of these empires is they became such huge world powers and started to take over so many territories and so much land that they spread their forces too thin, which effected financial instability. And—get this— the rise of Islam is thought to be one of the reasons for Rome's Fall.

Today, there is an ideological war going on in our country, the outcome of which could determine the future of our nation and the even the planet’s destiny. What happens in our Nation’s capitol by August second could be cataclysmic. This world has never been at this place before. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:27).

Dependence Day!

All over the world, people are suffering due to natural disasters. This year has already seen some of the worst natural disasters in 100 years, and some have no precedent. And isn't it significant that in our sophisticated age when we can conquer space, we are powerless to do anything about life on planet earth?!

Isn’t it obvious that God is at work? We are an independent people—we even celebrate our independence!—a national hallmark, the American spirit. What will it take for us to confess our helplessness and express our unqualified dependence on Him?

To all who can receive it, God is giving a revelation of our weakness, to bring us to the end of ourselves. Perhaps the day after U.S. Independence Day is good day to be reminded of our dependence. At a time of helplessness, God spoke to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for [My] power is perfected in [your] weakness." Paul’s response was “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about [celebrate] my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Contrary to the modern independent spirit, Paul was celebrating his dependence.  Perhaps we should have a day called “Dependence Day”  when we all celebrate our weakness and His power.

Can You Outrun the Chariots?

“Then the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:46). In this Old Testament story, Elijah outruns King Ahab’s chariot. Chariots represent the strength of man.

Chariots signify speed, accomplishment, and domination. Yet, Elijah outran the chariots. You may think that Elijah must have really been ‘in the zone’ at that great moment. But the fact is, Elijah was so discouraged and despairing, he was ready to give up. Even though he had just been used by God to defeat and destroy 450 prophets of Baal, he made a 180 degree turn, and ran for his life when Jezebel threatened to kill him. Running to the desert, he sat down and prayed “Lord, I’ve had enough; just let me die.” (I Kings 19:4).

How is it that no matter how much God shows His power in our lives, we, like Elijah, so easily turn away when our feats are followed by defeats, and we say I’ve had enough? These are the times when God simply wants us to relinquish control and believe in His power, having confidence in God's promise “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). If only we could abide in that truth, we would be able to outrun the chariots.

Are You Proud of Your Weaknesses?

As a male, I have been conditioned by my culture to be strong. When life gets out of my control, I get anxious and agitated. I feel weak; and I don’t like it. Paul tells us that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, foolish, the base things and despised, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29, paraphrased).

Are these the words you like to hear about yourself—weak, foolish, despised, abased? Yet that is how God stocked the early church! Later, Paul explains how God puts the treasure of Jesus in earthen vessels (humans) so it will be quite evident the power is of Him and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). In a culture that promotes power and independence, it is not natural, or easy, to embrace weakness.

Nonetheless God says to Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” And then Paul replies “most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me… I am well content with weaknesses… for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong… If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:30). OK—time for a reality check. When is the last time you honestly boasted about your weakness (and not in false modesty or feigned self-deprecation)?

In God's Gymnasium, the Strong become Weaker!

[In yesterday’s post, I spoke of the importance of spiritual exercise, using the metaphor of God’s gymnasium. As a pastor and counselor of 25 years, it grieves me that so many Christians think that this daily discipline is optional.]
In God’s Gymnasium, you will become weaker, not stronger.

The result of exercising yourself in GOD'S GYMNASIUM is the opposite of what will happen to you at 24-Hour Fitness!—where the purpose is to become stronger. In the spiritual realm, God’s training regimen is to make you weaker. Let me explain.

Our natural desire is to become stronger in our in self-esteem, self-confidence, and competence. In secular psychology, this is called EGO-STRENGTH. Ego-strength is considered a ‘good’ thing (by secular psychologists). In God’s Gymnasium our ego-strength is exposed. Conversely, the Holy Spirit shows us how weak and unable we are to live holy lives. The intent of God’s training, then, is to weaken (and ultimately destroy) our self-life, and make us stronger in spirit (God-reliant; God-dependent).

Before his conversion, Paul was a naturally gifted man, esteeming himself highly. But Paul learned that “[God’s] strength is perfected in [our] weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). To the self-congratulating Corinthians, Paul says God has “chosen the weak things of this world to shame the things that are strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

If you do not visit God’s Gymnasium regularly, you are in peril of thinking you are stronger than you really are. You are in danger of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Through daily exercising our spirit through Bible study and meditation, we are humbled and broken of self-strength. And we learn how to exchange our strength for His.

Isaiah says:
“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD [in God’s Gymnasium] will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (40:29-31).

And finally, listen to the words of the prophet Joel (3:10):

“Let the weak say I am Strong."