Five Bible Verses on Weakness

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I love this passage in 2 Corinthians. My grace is sufficient for you! God's grace is extremely sufficient isn't it? We often feel so beaten down by our own sin and inadequacy. It feels like no one could ever love us because of the things we've done. This is not the case. In fact God's strength and power is often shown to us in our weakest moments. We can't see it until then! We ought to be open about our weaknesses to God. Confess them openly to God and often, and request of God that he remove these things on this spiritual journey. That way the power of Christ supports us and guides us, taking our faults away over time.

2. Psalm 34:17-20 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

This is a wonderfully simple message about troubled times. The righteous before God will have many afflictions or many troubles. We are told that God does not ignore us when we are crushed or brokenhearted. It is then that his power is revealed to us. It is said the Lord is near those who are brokenhearted or crushed. He saves us in those times. So wait on the Lord when in troubled times, and pray. We are told he will deliver us from all of our troubles. The last sentence is an interesting one, it means that we will be fully restored.

3. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

We are told in Romans that the holy spirit helps us in regard to our weaknesses. Even though we often pray for the wrong things and don't even know how to ask for help, Jesus intercedes for us to the father. Jesus goes to the father and speaks our case, and we receive mercy and grace. So first we receive help in the short term from the holy spirit to bear the burdens of sin and trouble. Jesus then intercedes for us whether we pray correctly or not, and we are delivered from darkness.

4. Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

This is a good verse from Philippians. We know that God will supply every need we have. Remember weakness is temporary and it's completely natural. We may often feel sad, depressed, brokenhearted, and defeated. It's part of this life and our trials. We also know Christians are persecuted in the world. So do not be afraid when you feel weak and sad! God will supply all you need. His riches come through the glory and sacrifice of Christ Jesus. It is his everlasting gift to us, despite our transgressions. So wait on the Lord and pray!

5. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In Hebrews see mention of the high priest, who was the spiritual leader of the church in biblical times. People were often disillusioned with the high priest and the pharisees because they were cold and judgmental. Today this can be related to our church pastors or current religious leaders in the world. It can also relate to others in the church who don't sympathize with our troubles or weaknesses. I've certainly experienced the feeling of being different because of my troubles when at church. Yet we are reassured that Jesus Christ can sympathize with every weakness we have! Why? Because Jesus was tempted in every way we were in his life as a human being of flesh. He never sinned, but he was tempted, indeed he was tempted by the devil himself. This is a plea to us in Hebrews to just know that it doesn't matter what we did! Even if we murdered someone or did some other terrible thing, the sacrifice of Christ pays for it all! And Jesus understands because he was tempted as well! This is a great passage that begs us to approach God and ask for forgiveness! So many think their sins are too great. No sin is too great. Jesus paid for them all.