17
I
am going to write about human weakness
and strength in doing God’s work. Our heav-
enly Father indeed knows how weak we are;
He knows we are made of dust. He knows our
carnal mind leads us to death. But God has
shown us that He is a God of love, mercy and
grace in the way He has worked with
prophets, disciples and His beloved Son,
Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The God of the
Bible, the God of Israel, the God of our
fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the
God of David, has revealed His character to
us. He has provided us with the way to make
a friendship with Him, that is to follow the
example of Jesus Christ.
Human Weakness and Strength
| Bro John Onani (Sindo, Kenya)
Jesus was tempted, tested and tried, leading
to death on the cross. After three days and
nights in the grave the God of our fathers
raised him back to life. The God of the Bible
uses the example of Jesus Christ to show how
human nature can be transformed to strength
and eternal life.
My appeal to all brothers and sisters is to let
us make use of our human weakness to do
God’s will and follow the perfect example of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Scriptural references
reveal his work: Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews
1:1-4; 2:9-18; 4:14-16; 12:2-3; 1 Peter 2:21-
25; Romans 8:31. “If God is for us, who can
be against us?”
T
hese quotations are helpful to read and think about. Why did the people rejoice in the
time of Nehemiah? Why did Isaiah say God would rejoice? Do we look forward to the
joy that no-one can take away?
“Ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households
wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.” (Deuteronomy 12:7).
“My heart rejoices in the Lord. For I delight in your deliverance”
(1 Samuel 2:1 NIV).
“Let the heart of them rejoice that seek God.”
(Psalm 105:3)
“As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”
(Isaiah 62: 5 NIV)
Jesus said: “Ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16:22)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2)
“In that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had made
them rejoice with great joy, the wives also and the children rejoiced so
that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” (Nehemiah 12:43)
Rejoice in the Lord Always
| Bro Green Mumbelunga (Ndola, Zambia)