Try to imagine an endeavor that does not benefit from having a coach or mentor. Just about every sport you can think of employs coaches from toddlers playing soccer to professional tennis players. The job of the coach is to convince you that “yes, you can” when your body or skill level says “no I can’t”!
On the cosmic level the story of God’s work in human history is not one of flawless heroes but is replete with ordinary men and women whose frailty becomes the stage for divine strength. Time and again, Scripture reminds us that God delights in using human weakness to reveal His glory. Rather than choosing the strongest or the most capable, God loves to select those who are overlooked, broken, or inadequate in the world’s eyes. In this paradox, we see that “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NLT). Human weakness plus God’s power consistently leads to outcomes that can only be described as glorious.
Moses stands as one of the clearest examples. Called by God to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel out of slavery, Moses immediately protested his inadequacy: “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now… I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled” (Exodus 4:10, NLT). By every natural measure, he seemed unfit for the task of confronting kings. Yet God’s reply revealed the truth, in essence saying “yes, you can!”: “Who makes a person’s mouth? … Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say” (Exodus 4:11–12, NLT).
Through this stammering man, God split the Red Sea, humbled the most powerful empire of the ancient world, and gave Israel His covenant law. Moses’ weakness was no obstacle—it became the platform for God’s mighty deliverance.
Generations later, God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Gideon himself admitted his inadequacy: “But Lord… how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15, NLT). In response, the Lord declared, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man” (Judges 6:16, NLT).
God then reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to just 300 men, making it clear that victory would not come by human strength. Armed with nothing more than trumpets, clay jars, and torches, Gideon’s band routed a vast enemy host. What began in fear ended in triumph, proving that God’s power is not limited by human weakness.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul carried an ongoing weakness he described as a “…thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud” (2 Corinthians 12:7, NLT). Three times he begged God to remove it. But the Lord’s response reshaped his perspective: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT).
Rather than viewing weakness as defeat, Paul came to see it as the channel of God’s glory. He declared, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT). This testimony has encouraged believers for centuries, reminding us that divine power often shines brightest through our limitations. Of course, the ultimate example must be Jesus Himself. To human eyes, the cross was weakness personified—rejection, suffering, and death. Paul wrote, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NLT). What seemed like defeat became the greatest victory in history. Through the weakness of crucifixion, God unleashed resurrection power, conquering sin and death forever.
This glorious outcome proves beyond question that God’s ways are not ours. As Paul said, “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (1 Corinthians 1:27, NLT).
These stories are not relics of the past. Each believer today carries weaknesses—including, but not limited to, physical frailties, emotional struggles, or personal inadequacies. Yet these are not disqualifications. Instead, they are opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. When we bring our insufficiency to Him, He fills it with His sufficiency. When our strength runs out, His power is revealed.
As the psalmist reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18, NLT). Our brokenness is not the end of the story but the place where God’s glory begins.
Human weakness plus God’s power equals glorious outcomes. Moses, Gideon, Paul, and most supremely, Christ, reveal this eternal truth. Our fragility becomes the canvas upon which God paints His strength. Rather than hiding our weakness, we can surrender it to God and expect Him to turn it into a testimony of His power. Indeed, “This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NLT).
When weakness meets the Almighty, the result is nothing short of glory.
“When we reach the end of our hoarded resources; The Father’s full giving is only begun” - Annie Johnson Flint
Si, se puede!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study