As a man, I do not like admitting that I am weak. I want to be strong and tough and able to meet any challenge that life throws my way. As a father I need to be a leader, a good example, and have wisdom and love in ample measure. As a husband I must have love and understanding, and provide well for my family. All of these things are good and right and true, but my problem is that I am weak. I want to do what I shouldn’t, and I don’t want to do what I should. All of these things sound hard, and I like to do what is easy. There’s good news though for those of you like me: God’s looking for a few weak men (I know, it wouldn’t make the best Army recruiting slogan).
Before you run out and think that I’m enabling losers, just hang in there. I want to give a few examples. I was personally rather shocked when I read the following text:
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 KJV
Now think of Moses and all that he did. Do you envision a meek or humble man? I didn’t. Not standing up to Pharaoh, parting the Red Sea, leading a million plus people, talking to God on top of a fiery mountain. I envision boldness and strength and daring. But that’s not why the Lord loved Moses so much. The Lord loved him because he was the humblest man on the face of the earth, and the Lord used that humbleness and turned Moses into a leader of men. And it never went to Moses’ head. Amazing. Unheard of. Anytime that the people (or his own family) challenged Moses, he didn’t get offended or defensive. He pointed to God and let Him work it out. God continued to lead, and Moses continued to follow.
This is a theme that’s played out in scripture, not only in the life of Moses but over and over again. God chose Israel as his people not because they were great, but because they were the least of all nations. David was the youngest and least important son. Bethlehem and Nazareth were small unimportant cities. The twelve men Jesus chose to carry His message to the world were uneducated laborers. Jesus came himself as a carpenter, not a king. Paul would have been considered wealthy and important by men, but God humbled him to make him useful, and gave him a “thorn in the flesh” to constantly remind him of his weakness. It came to the point where Jesus would declare through Paul:
… my strength is made perfect in weakness. And again: … for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
And yes, Ellen White was a sickly, handicapped teenager with a third grade education. She couldn’t even hold a pen without her hand shaking. God has this amazing theme running throughout scripture where He uses people that everyone views as weak and useless, and He turns them into strong and useful people – so that no one can boast, but in the power of God. He even describes Jesus as the stone that was rejected by the builders, but which God made the head of the corner. 1 Peter 2:7. So what does God require? Limp wrist-ed namby-pamby guys?
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT
God is looking for a man who has the faith to let Him fight for you. To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly. He is looking for a man who loves Him above all else. These things are hard, and a real man likes to do hard things. And when you do, then He might use you to humble kings, slay giants, spread the good news, raise your families, love your wives, and carry your brothers and sisters. He’s looking for a few weak men, that He can make strong. You in?
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