Weakness: Our Strongest Position

I was encouraged this morning by studying 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.  This passage of scripture clearly defines the requirements to be used of God: foolish (ridiculous, despicable), weak (feeble), base (low-birth, of no reputation), despised (no account), and "things that are not".  He states that He will use these types of things, and people, to confound (shame) the mighty!

When Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan river in order to be cleansed from his leprosy Naaman thought it absurd and ridiculous.  His servant convinced him to do it and low and behold he was cleansed.

When Jesus Christ was born in a manger this is not exactly what we think of when we imagine the birth of the King of the Jews the Saviour of the world.

When God used John the Baptist, a man that dressed in camel skins, ate wild honey and locusts, and lived in the dessert, to prepare the way of the Lord, the noble and mighty despised it.

When God used a small ark built of weeds to save the life of the great deliverer of Israel, Moses, and then took him on the back side of the dessert for 40 years to "unlearn" him and train him in the ways of the Lord he was dismissed by Pharaoh.

When Jesus gave up His heavenly crown and position for a rugged cross of suffering and humiliation He won the greatest victory in the history of mankind!

On and on we could go in finding examples in the Bible to illustrate the principles taught in this passage.  

God also gives a warning to the wise (theologians, learned, cultivated), the mighty (strong, powerful in finances and influence), and the noble (well-born, superior due to birth) that many of them will not be called for His service because of their dependance on their flesh and intelligence.

I am encouraged because I know I can do one thing which is to rest in and rely upon the strength and  ways of the Lord knowing that in my weakness His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).