Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme:  Only God

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Hosanna - Paul Baloche, More Than Anything - Hillsong, Happy Day - Tim Hughes, How He Loves - David Crowder

Read:  I Samuel 17:32-50 

Think:  The Tiananmen Square uprising of June 1989 gave the world one of the most inspiring images ever captured.  You’ve seen the photo, I’m sure.  A column of tanks advancing down a broad Beijing boulevard to restore order through violent suppression of the masses has been halted by a lone, unarmed, defenseless protester.  For a moment, at least, the awesome might of the Chinese army had been stymied by one man. 

That’s the image that came to my mind when Pastor Ben referred to I Corinthians 1:27 in his sermon over the weekend.  The King James Version says, “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”  I think the word ‘confound’ conveys a lot.  Using the weak, God confuses the ones who are strong, and disrupts their ability to act.   

So, if we’re weak, does that mean we will overcome mighty evil?  Not quite.  It’s not simply weakness that defeats strength, it’s weakness given over to God for His purposes.  God’s perfect strength works through the weakness of the life surrendered to Him.  As David said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” 

The world is full of people trying to use their own power to achieve greatness of one sort or another.  For a time, many succeed.  But the true and lasting victory will be God’s.  He seeks those who are weak but willing, and will use them to do great things. 

Do:  As a reminder of how insignificant things can have a great effect, stick a pebble or penny in your shoe for a few minutes.  

Pray:  God, I’d like to think I’m strong on my own.  But the truth is, I know better. I could try to hide my weakness from others, simply pretending to be stronger than I am.  But today, I want to choose something better.  I want to surrender my weakness to you, Lord.  Use it, and use me, as you choose.  Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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