God's Promises for Those Who Feel Weak
Recently, several people close to me have gone through devastating circumstances. From the loss of a beloved family member to reliving the pain of their past to the debilitating disappointment that comes from dashed hopes, these friends have felt crushed by life's crashing waves. My tears have fallen and my heart has broken with theirs. Moved by the weakness they have felt in the face of life's hardships, I've compiled four promises God has for those who feel weak.
Maybe you, too, are feeling fragile at this moment. Or maybe you're remembering a friend in a moment of weakness with whom you can share the words below. Either way, may you be encouraged that God graciously loves, tenderly comforts, births hope in, and still has a plan and purpose for all who feel weak.
- God graciously loves the weak.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly... But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6,8
There is no weakness greater than spiritual weakness. And we all start spiritually weak. We lack the desire or the fortitude to live the way God commands, and therefore, we're separated from Him. The space between God and us is insurmountable. And it would have stayed this way–with a wide gap between God and us–except that He loves us. He fully and graciously loves us even in our weakness. He has shown us His love through Jesus Christ. Jesus's death and resurrection have made a way for the weakest and worst to believe and be brought into the family of God. There could not be a stronger argument made for the case that God loves the weak.
- God comforts the weak.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:4
Paul bestows the name "the God of all comfort" upon the Lord. No matter what it is you are seeking consolation from, the God of all comfort has what you need. This name is true of God because He is sovereignly in control of everything. There is no spec of dust that falls without His knowledge, and there is no tragedy unfolding that He is not presiding over. We know that God never desires or causes harm, but at times He does allow it for His glory and, sometimes puzzlingly, for our good (Romans 8:28).
- God births hope in the weak.
And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.– Romans 5:3-4
We want God to rescue us out of pain, but usually, He chooses to walk with us and work in us through it instead. Why does he do this? Because God's ultimate goal for our life is for us to love and glorify Him, not for us to be contented and comfortable.
If we can realize this then we will be able to let go of anger and unmet expectations of what God "should" have done in our lives. He knows that it is only in Him that our joy will be complete (Psalm 16:11), and everything He does moves us closer to Him and closer to joy.
When we allow God to work in us through our pain, we develop endurance, proven character, and the ability to see hope in hardship. If you are experiencing a difficult time in life right now, trust the Lord. He is leading you to hope.
- God has a plan and purpose for the weak.
Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
We may associate the word weak with other words like useless, ineffective, and unworthy. But God never does. He intentionally chooses the weak ones to partner with Him to accomplish His redemptive plan for the world.
When you feel weak, you still are chosen.
When you feel weak, you still have a purpose.
When you feel weak, God is still unfolding His beautifully ordained plan for you.
Your pain, desperation, sorrow, and frustration don't exempt you from the work he has planned for you since the beginning of time (Ephesians 2:10).
Would you take a moment, right now, to tell the Lord about your weakness? Would you confess the ways you've doubted His nearness and tender care? Would you believe again in the ways He is bringing about hope? Would you trust that even in the pain and uncertainty you're facing His plan for you hasn't changed? God is near to the weak. And those who feel weak can find love, comfort, hope, and purpose in Him.
