entered into combat with that experienced and mighty war- rior. But the weaker he was in himself, the more confident was he in his God ; and instead of being intimidated by the threatening aspect and boasting menaces of his adversary, he was as assured of victory, as if he had seen his enemy already under his feet*.]
But the context will give the best clew to the Apostle's meaning —
[St. Paul laboured under a heavy trial, which he calls a thorn in his flesh ^ Apprehensive that this would counteract his usefulness in the world, he cried most earnestly to the Lord Jesus Christ to remove it from him. But the Lord, not judg- ing it expedient to grant him his request, promised him (what was incomparably better) more abundant communications of grace, whereby he should obtain in a more advantageous man- ner the desires of his soul. Observe the effect — Paul remained as weak as ever ; but, being persuaded that Christ's power should be the more magnified through his weakness, he was satisfied ; yea, rather, he made that a matter of joy and triumph, which had just before been a source of the greatest trouble. He was well assured that, however unable he was in himself either to bear his trials, or to fulfil his duties, he could not but succeed, when his Almighty Friend was pledged to succour and support him.]
The Apostle's assertion being equally applicable to all believers, we shall, n. Confirm it —
A sense of weakness necessarily tends to make us strong, inasmuch as it makes us,
1. Watchful against temptations —
[If we conceive ourselves to be strong, we shall be fear- less of temptation ; and by exposing ourselves to it, shall be in greater danger of falling : whereas, if we feel our utter weak- ness, we shall not only pray, " Lead us not into temptation," but shall carefully shun the places, the books, the company, that may ensnare us. Like Joseph, we shall not parley with the tempter, but flee in haste : or, if we cannot flee, we shall oppose our enemy at first ; and thus vanquish that, which, if it had time to gather strength, would soon vanquish us.]
2. Importunate in prayer —
[It is the sick alone who calls for a physician ; they who are strong in their own conceit, will never pray in earnest;
» 1 Sam. xvii. 45 — 47. *> ver. 7, 8.
2044.] SENSE OF WEAKNESS CONDUCIVE TO STRENGTH. Go]
but he who feels his need of divine assistance will seek it at a throne of grace. Now if we do not pray for God's aid, we cannot receive it ; and therefore in the hour of trial shall surely fail. But, if we pray with importunity and faith, we shall obtain the things we ask for; and consequently shall be upheld, while others fall. It was by this means that Paul obtained strength; "he prayed to the Lord thrice:'' the answer vouchsafed to his petition dissipated all his fears, and strengthened him with might in his inner man : and similar means will always be attended with similar success.]
3. Dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ —
[In proportion as we fancy ourselves strong, we must of necessity confide in our own strength ; the consequence of which may be sufiiciently seen in the repeated falls of Peter. Being strong in his own apprehension, he proved himself lamentably weak. But, if we are conscious that we are wholly without strength, and can do nothing of ourselves, we shall be rnore simple and uniform in our dependence on Christ. Now Christ will never suffer those who trust in him to be con- founded. He would consider it as an impeachment of his own veracity, if he did not give them " grace sufficient for them ;" consequently we never are so truly strong, as when we are deeply convinced of our own utter impotence.]
This truth enters deeply into the experience of all the Lord's people : we shall therefore endeavour to, IIL Improve it —