As we’ve explored our relationship with God as His handiwork through the biblical metaphors of the vineyard and the potter the past couple of months, they force us to acknowledge our need to submit to Him. Last week, we reflected on our need to depend on the Lord. This week, we are reminded that we must depend on the Lord because of our insufficiency:

IN WORD – We tend to think of our weaknesses as failures. Perhaps we feel that we’ve let God down by our bungling attempts at righteousness or service, or that we’ve disqualified ourselves from the circles of the spiritual elite. We forget that every disease is an opportunity for Him either to heal us or to comfort us; every problem is an opportunity for Him either to display His power or to shape our character; and every sin is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His mercy (if we’re repentant) or to display His righteous judgments (if we’re not).
Whatever failures we come up with, He can redeem. And that brings Him glory. That doesn’t mean we should fail intentionally, especially if that failure is sin. Insufficiency comes naturally; we don’t need to create more for Him. But it does mean we should intentionally avoid successes that aren’t born of Him.
Our independent victories are failures in His eyes, while our failures that lead to dependence are His victories. As always, the Kingdom is a paradox. That’s a radical perspective for us. The world gives us clear definitions of success and failure, strength and weakness. But if we look closely at God’s definitions, we discover that anything that points to Him—even our inability—is a great success. Anything that doesn’t—even our ability—is not.
IN DEED – Instead of considering your weaknesses as failures, try considering them as occasions to worship. Offer them to God. Remember that a few loaves and fish were all that was offered to Jesus to feed a large crowd, and He was glorified. A leprous hand was offered to Him, and His power to heal was honored. The tomb of a dead brother became a scene of awesome praise. And a disgraceful cross, as well as the horrendous sin behind it, became God’s greatest glory. God is used to taking humility, brokenness, and even failure, and magnifying Himself in them. Are you weak? humble? a broken failure? Then He’s ready to work. Let Him magnify Himself in you. “It’s the nature of God to make something out of nothing; therefore, when anyone is nothing, God may yet make something of him.” – Martin Luther (in “Worship the King” by Chris Tiegreen)

The Bible makes it clear that God values humility above all else (1 Peter 5:5-6, James 4:6-7). Even Jesus was willing to humble Himself, and by His submission, God elevated Him above all (Philippians 2:1-11). It is when we are broken and empty that God comes and empowers us (Matthew 5:1-12). The theology of “God helps those who help themselves” is heresy.
Take time this week to explore the life of Joseph (Genesis 37 onward), the life of Moses (Exodus 1 onward), or the lives of Saul or David in 1 Samuel. You will find that they became great, not by their own feats, but only when they humbly submitted to God’s will. So if you feel you are nothing or a failure, don’t despair; that is when God can work His most powerful and mighty work. Have a blessed week! – back in Singapore, Pastor Sam