Thought for Today
Genesis 10:8 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he was the first on earth to become a mighty warrior.
Psalm 33:16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. 18 Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
What does it mean in our culture to be strong? What does it mean to be a mighty warrior? Are strength and weakness always direct opposites? Maybe most importantly, do strength of body and strength of character go hand-in-hand?
As I read my These Days devotional this morning, I began to wonder, especially since my mind is already focused on the Beatitudes and the approach of Lent and Easter. I frequently quote from The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, but strength and weakness are not theological terms. Neither word appears among those definitions. Yet, both words appear in the Bible. Evidently, as Christians we are expected to understand both words in terms of their theological usage and context without any specific definitions.
I understand the idea of physical strength in common, cultural usage in our society. Lest I have any doubts or confusion, television presents me with numerous advertisements for various ‘health clubs’ daily. In my youth we had gymnasiums instead of ‘health clubs.’ There were gyms in every school I attended. Even our church had a gymnasium which did double duty as our fellowship hall. In school and in church the primary activity and use of the gym was for basketball, although some also accommodated volleyball.
As I watch those ads for ‘health clubs,’ they seem to be more focused on treadmills and passive resistance weightlifting, although some also accommodate free weights. Greta and I do try to regularly go to the YMCA nearby to (gently) work out on the treadmills and machines. But, like so many others, we are more focused on overall health than on building up discernable physical strength.
Many of us know that the Israelites of Jesus’ time were anticipating and watching for a promised Redeemer. We have all heard countless sermons and lessons on their expectation of a new King David who would lead them in overthrowing the Roman occupation and reestablishing Israel as a super power. Hopefully, you all know how that turned out for them.
How does all of that, all of the Beatitudes and all of what we read in the Bible correlate with the world in which we live? Are we truly expected to believe that the meek will inherit the earth? And, when they do, is that a reward or a punishment given the current state of the earth?
Are we called to aspire to be like Nimrod or King David, mighty warriors? Or, are we to aspire to be “poor in spirit,” “mourning,” “meek,” “persecuted,” “reviled?” As good (?) Christians, are we to be weak or strong? And, just what do we mean by weak of strong? Should all good Christians diligently work at developing physical strength? Is our faith measured by how many pounds we can bench-press?
We know the metrics by which our society measures strength and weakness, success and failure. We have encountered bullies who attempt to impose their will through physical intimidation. Some of us have encountered bullies who attempt to impose their will through mental or even spiritual intimidation. As Christians, we should be aware that Jesus never tried to intimidate anyone. Jesus led by example. Christendom, the worldwide Church, exists today because of the way Jesus lived, died and was resurrected. Not through imposing faith through any sort of intimidation; but, by witnessing the truth of the Cross.
I love The Old Rugged Cross. I know that some do not like that hymn. But I find a truth for my faith and for my life in its words. “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame: And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.”
Love is not ‘never having to say you’re sorry.’ Love is serving others, sacrificing for others. True strength is putting the welfare of others before your own. Jesus was and is the strongest person I can imagine.
Stay safe, be strong in faith, trust God,
Pastor Ray