What Kills You Makes You Stronger预览

FINISH STRONG

Unfortunately, King Amaziah’s story does not end as strongly as it started. His quest to hang on to his own strength ended in the ultimate weakness, losing his life.

King Amaziah’s weakness for power was public knowledge to everybody, including his enemies. Even the king that he challenged into battle had the sense to warn Amaziah against his own ego. King Jehoash’s response to the challenge is profound. “‘You are saying, ‘I have defeated Edom,’ and you are very proud of it. But my advice is to stay at home. Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and the people of Judah?’” (2 Chronicles 25:19, NLT). But by now I am sure that you can expect Amaziah’s reaction.

Let us just say that one power trip led to another. And before he knew it King Amaziah’s illusion of strength caught up with him. “After Amaziah turned away from the Lord, there was a conspiracy against his life in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But his enemies sent assassins after him, and they killed him there” (2 Chronicles 25:27, NLT). The same power that was supposed to keep him alive ended up killing him.

King Amaziah’s story offers great affirmation of Paul’s conclusion on power and weakness in 2 Corinthians 12. In the same way that Christ’s power works best in weakness, the opposite is also true. When we refuse to surrender our weaknesses to Christ, we also refuse the ultimate victory through Him. By trying to keep our own strong will alive, we are heading for death.

Do you struggle to admit weakness in your life? What would it take for your own strength to die in Christ?

Let us embrace the power of Christ through our weakness. Let us surrender our own strength by accepting his great gift on the cross. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NLT). What kills us makes us stronger!