Right Might

And the LORD turned to him and said, Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you? -- Judges 6:14

We each have gifts, strengths and abilities as well as weaknesses.  None of us are perfect and complete alone, but neither are any of us completely helpless.  In order to accomplish anything, we must bring what we have to the task.  Instead of lamenting and regretting that we are not as talented, intelligent, strong, or courageous as someone else, we have to be willing to take on a challenge our way. 

If age has taught me anything and brought me any measure of wisdom, it is this:  there’s almost always more than one way to get something done.  I may not be able to do it the same way someone else does, but I may have a different strength or ability that can be brought to bear and accomplish the same ultimate goal. 

In fact, it is often the case with the Lord that He is able to make better use of our weaknesses than our strengths.   Gideon was clearly not a particularly brave and bold person.  This “might of yours” that God used to deliver Israel was, at least in part, Gideon’s lack of confidence in his own power and ability.  Facing an overwhelming task, Gideon knew that it was beyond anything he could do.  Gideon’s fleeces have been the fodder for many sermons about trusting and believing God.  Nevertheless, given the challenge he faced, Gideon was right in making certain that he really was hearing from the Lord. 

Our faults, flaws, and vulnerabilities can become our strength, as the Apostle Paul knew from very personal experience:

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Weakness and lack of ability force us to rely solely on the Spirit and His power.  We used to quote the last part of Zechariah 4:6 a lot:  Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts, because we understood the futility of using the arm of the flesh or natural power to do what God has called us to do.  I fear that the Church has gained too much worldly wealth and power, too much political and cultural influence to live by that divine admonition these days.  

Yet, like Gideon, we are called to do what is impossible to the flesh, no matter how strong or wise or talented or brilliant we may be.  We are called to live a holy life in spite of the world, the flesh and the devil.  It is not just not easy.  It can't be done.  Christ alone was able to do it, and in Christ alone, humbly acknowledging our inability, we are able. 

Strength and Weakness

A few days ago, I heard a chorus that said grace is enough for us, and it contained the line, “The weak will lead the strong.” I don’t know who wrote the chorus, but I can guess that one passage he or she had in mind was this:

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

The old saying is that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I am reminded of this every time I watch The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and come to the scene where the Beavers, Peter, Lucy, and Susan are running across open ground thinking the White Witch is about to catch them. They can only go as fast as the slowest member of the group. They will not leave anyone behind. So must our intent be in the Body of Christ. In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would all be one in Him. Paul tells us to be considerate of weaker brothers. If I think I am strong then I ought, all the more, show deference to the weak. It is good and appropriate that we are advancing in the kingdom, learning, gaining enlightenment and power, but we should not leave our brothers and sisters behind. Keep the weaker in front, encourage and support them.

Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth. If you want to know what meekness is watch a powerful man wrestling with his small son. It is obvious that at any time the father could easily overcome the child’s small strength, but he does not. Not only does the man give in to the boy’s efforts, but he does so in such a way as to protect the little one and keep him from injuring himself. Meekness is strength voluntarily yielding and shielding.

“Turn the other cheek” has always been a problem for me. Does God really expect me to let people just run over me? Must a Christian surrender to oppression and injustice?

Think about what the Lord is saying. He is talking to me personally. If someone wants to cheat me and take my coat, not only should I give him the coat, but I should throw my shirt in, though he did not ask for it. As the old folks would say, “If he can live with it, I can live without.” Who is stronger: the one who connives to steal the coat, or the one who gives it up joyfully with the shirt as well?

The law said that a soldier might make a demand on a civilian to carry his pack for him to the next mile marker. Jesus said if that demand is placed on me, I should carry it not to the next mile marker, but joyful go a second mile that I don’t have to. Who is stronger: the one who makes a demand under an oppressive law, or the one who thinks nothing of the burden and the second mile?

If someone slaps me on the cheek, it stings. It is enough to make the adrenaline dump and blood rush to my face. I feel anger, but I am not really hurt. Who is stronger: the one who slaps someone’s face, or the one who smiles and offers to let them slap the other cheek?

The Lord isn’t telling me to be a pacifist, to stand aside and allow the wicked to oppress, ravage, and destroy the less powerful. He is telling me to keep my perspective. The world is full of cowards and petty tyrants who will attempt to bully and humiliate us. When He says, “Turn the other cheek”, He is thinking of those people, people who can possibly be moved, changed, or inspired by the meekness and joyous nobility of the true Christian.

Do not be overcome by evil. But overcome evil with good.