When is weakness better than strength?
I have been advised multiple times never to get old. That growing old is not for sissies. Because your body breaks down; getting old is moving from strength to weakness. But is this all loss? Is there nothing to be gained from weakness?
Our friend in Psalm 119 reveals himself in a moment of great weakness. The key word he repeats often in verses 145 to 152 is cry. Look at how he opens this section:
I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord! I will observe Your statutes.
I cried to You; save me and I shall keep Your testimonies.
Psalm 119:145-156
To cry to the Lord is not a position of strength, but of weakness. You cry because you have no other options. You cry out of desperate need.
What comes next is more weakness. We learn that our friend is not sleeping very well. He is awake before sunrise and crying for help. He is ready for staying up through the night, going over God’s Word in his quest for help.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.
My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.
Psalm 119:147-148
I didn’t sleep well or much last night. I don’t like that for myself, because I’m physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak, which often leaves me very vulnerable to sin.
And then there is still more weakness for our friend. His enemies draw near. Since his adversaries are far from God’s law, their close presence is frightening.
Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Your law.
Psalm 119:150
Lots of weakness. So, how exactly is this better?
Even as the enemies draw near, the Lord is already near. He is learning to depend on the Lord, not himself.
You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.
Psalm 119:151
I want this Psalm to end on a note of relief, that his problems have been resolved. But this is reality, and not a sitcom. So we are left with two key principles:
- Depend on God because He is loving (v. 149).
- Depend on God’s Word, because it is forever (v 152).
Weakness is better than strength, when you cry to the Lord, trusting in His love and in His Word. When you are weak, then you are strong.