“WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG.”
By A. S. C.
This, as stating a fact in the Christian life, means that when I am conscious of my own want of strength for spiritual purposes, so as to feel compelled to rely upon the power of God, as put forth in the established modes of gospel influence, then am I strong, then through faith I feel confident of overcoming all hindrances to my spiritual life; and, again, I have all the strength that I need in my work. I can do nothing directly and of my own native energy to subdue my evil affections, but I can learn divine truth, meditate upon it, turn my thoughts to the person and work of Christ, pray and resort to all divine ordinances, and by such means secure the gracious helps promised in the use of the means appointed for the exercise of God’s power in the work of our redemption. I can do nothing effectively for the conversion of men to Christ, or for their growth in grace; but I can proclaim the truths of the gospel, point out the way of everlasting life, bring men into the sphere of God’s grace, and thus really employ the very power that is wanted for the highest purposes of Christian activity. The result is as if I had in myself all the forces required for such operations. My weakness is thus replaced by God’s strength. In a sense of this I feel strong, and the work accomplished makes me appear really so. For practical purposes, it is as if I had in myself the power of doing all the great works proposed in the life of the disciple or minister of Christ,—A. S. C.