The Weakness of the Flesh and the Power of God

Scripture References: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

2 Kings 5 contains one of the most telling references to the weakness of the flesh. "Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man...but he was a leper." Even though Naaman was a mighty man in battle, wealthy in goods, respected and powerful, he could not escape the weakness of the flesh. The Scriptures give constant witness to the fact that we are frail, whether that frailty is demonstrated in the realization that our flesh falls prey to illness and decay or we see that we have the tendency (even the mightiest of us) to succumb to spiritual or moral failures. The truth is that we do not possess the strength sufficient to achieve victory on our own.

In Psalm 30 David says that when he trusted in his own strength and prosperity, thinking he was self-sufficient, he learned (as soon as God's hand of blessing was removed) that even his resources were limited. He says that when the Lord removed His hand, he was dismayed. Once he acknowledged his lack of self-sufficiency and sought the help of the Lord, he was restored. Because of this experience, he speaks with total confidence about God's provision for us.

Paul assumes human weakness in Galatians 6. He reminds those who are part of the faith family that we are responsible for one another. When someone fails, those who have the spiritual wherewithal are supposed to work to restore him or her. Because we human beings are frail, however, he also warns those who try to help others that they need to be careful, lest they fall to the same temptations. This is why we should work to restore the fallen in the spirit of humility. None of us should ever think that we are beyond the reach of temptation.

How do we respond to the reality of our human weakness? The story of the commissioning of the 72 evangelists in Luke 10 gives us a clue. Jesus sends His chosen witnesses out into the world, telling them that they should rely 100% on God's provision for them. They aren't supposed to take anything with them that will guarantee their security. God, through His Spirit and through His people will care for their needs. So it is with us. Even though we are not self-sufficient, God reminds us that His grace is more than sufficient.