Foolish, Weak and Lowly

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Scripture:

1Cor. 1:26        Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,  29 so that no one may boast before him.  30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Observation:

These words to the church in Corinth are a great reminder to those who may be proud of who they are or what they have become. Paul reminds them that no one is to boast in anything — except Christ. It is Christ who is at work in those who are his children. He chose to use those who were not born into position in life, but rather to raise up his own. Those who would be faithful in following Christ and being obedient were filled with the Spirit and wisdom and became leaders who would transform the world. It is Christ who can take people whom the world would deem as foolish, weak and lowly and use them so that all boasting is in the Lord.

Application:

God provides and sustains.

The call is to follow Christ and to bring him all of our weaknesses, allowing him to transform them for his use. He takes every foolish thing we’ve ever done and redeems it for his glory. He takes our weaknesses and fills them with the power of the Holy Spirit and suddenly they become our strengths. He takes those who have never been invited to sit at the big table, and raises them up to be a voice for those who have none.

Let’s live in humble obedience, walking daily with our Lord, trusting that he will provide — and then let’s boast in him with all our being! God is good and faithful — trust in him.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for taking my weak person and empowering me to follow you every day. Amen.

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