15-Jul-2024 – Declare that you are strong when you are weak

Published by Bro. Sunil Binkam on July 15, 2024July 15, 2024

Let the Weak Say, I Am Strong – Joel 3:10

How can a weak person say that they are strong, especially in the context of a battle with many enemies? Let us learn from today’s devotional.

In the book of Joel, the LORD speaks to the people of Israel through the prophet Joel, asking them to reflect on their lives. He asks if the hardships they are experiencing have ever happened to their forefathers:

“That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.” – Joel 1:4

Using the metaphor of a crop, the LORD highlights the people’s lives. The crop represents the fruit of their hard work, while the worms symbolize the negative situations that consume resources, leaving nothing for their original intended purpose. Consider an employee who works hard all month for their salary. The worms are like credit repayments increased due to undisciplined spending on unnecessary items, sudden repair expenses, and unexpected health issues. These situations ultimately rob the joy of enjoying the fruits of their labor.

God tells us that these hardships are not just due to an undisciplined way of living but also because of living away from God and ignoring His purposes for our lives. An undisciplined life results from not following God’s word. He calls us to respond:

“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,” – Joel 1:14

This call comes when people still do not recognize the reason for their losses and negative situations. Even the priests are unaware, despite the worship of God in the temple being hindered. At this time, God calls them to fast. Fasting signifies prioritizing time in God’s presence, with His word, by the help of the Holy Spirit, above all else.

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” – Joel 2:12-14

God is merciful and calls for a fast so that He can act in our lives. Our repentance allows Him to work in our lives to sanctify us and enable us to stand strong again. Not only that:

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.” – Joel 2:21-27

Now, when you hear, “let the weak say, I am strong,” will you not believe these words of God? Will you not gain boldness, courage, and mighty power from within to stand strong on the day of the battle? For you know that your battle is your God’s.

Prayer:

Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for reminding me today about my situation, which is a senseless pathetic situation. But still, you did not leave me but gathered me and gave me an option to repent and be recovered. Thank you for your willingness to fight my battle. I will now say that I am strong in the LORD and I will win. Help me not to look at the enemy or the situation but only your word, which leads my path. I pray in the name of my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!