Strength in weakness
Bible Readings: John 14:18–19, 25–27, Acts 2:1–4
“I will not leave you orphaned: I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.” John 14:18–19
Imagine being present on that day, the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came! What a faith builder that would have been! How glad I am that this was not just a day or an event in history but, rather, a beginning! On the day of Pentecost a partnership began, one that you and I can participate in.
I struggle, as I know many do, with a lack of confidence in my gifts and abilities. However, I thank God that experiences over the years have shown me that my effectiveness is not entirely dependent on my capabilities. I have found that most often, when I feel weak and I have to rely completely on God, God the Holy Spirit goes before me creating opportunities and bringing about results.
I am encouraged as I know that I am in good company because this was also Paul’s experience. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of having been given a “thorn in the flesh”. He says:
“Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
The events of the day of Pentecost were the fulfilment of the promise of Jesus that his followers would not be left orphaned. From this day Jesus’ disciples were so empowered that the Christian faith spread rapidly throughout Judea and beyond. The Spirit went before them paving the way and they were given the gifts necessary to ensure their effectiveness.
Whilst freely offered to us all, we do not always avail ourselves of the Holy Spirit. Despite what I have learned through my experiences, there are times when I try to go it alone and it is only through failure that I am reminded to seek God’s guidance and direction and trust myself to him. If it is in God’s purposes that something should happen then it will!
Peter shows us that it is repentance and brokenness that opens us to the Spirit’s power and direction. At the last supper he boasts that he will lay down his life for Jesus and Jesus replies “before the cock crows you will have denied me three times”. Very soon after, in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house he weeps bitterly as he remembers these words. It had been as Jesus said.
It is after this that, on the day of Pentecost, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and he preaches a sermon so powerful that 3,000 were baptised, signs and wonders were performed and “awe came upon everyone”.
John Wesley is another classic example of this. He sailed to England from Georgia, a failed missionary, broken, and it was when he admitted his failure that his “heart was strangely warmed”. What followed was a spirit empowered ministry that transformed England.
I thank God that the Holy Spirit is ever present with us. Given at Pentecost, as the wind is ever blowing, the spirit is ever present and, as the sails are continually set by the sailor to catch the wind and soar with it, to avail ourselves of this third person of the Trinity we need to continually set our sails.
Prayer: Loving God, in your generous mercy you sent upon your disciples the Holy Spirit with the burning fire of your love. Fill me today with the same holy fire, so that I will always want to keep close to you and will be enthusiastic in my faith and vigorous in my service. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
