Strength in weakness

Tuesday 20^th December

Read Psalm 8:1-2

“Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.”

How high and lifted up is our Lord? And not just by us, but all the earth lifts up His name.

Such a claim is considered arrogant and divisive today. Surely there are many ways to God and indeed many gods! How narrow-minded is it to proclaim with such gusto that it is the Lord’s name that is lifted up everywhere, His glory that is manifest in the heavens? It draws forth opposition, derision and scorn.

Perhaps that is where this hint of enemies arises (v2), foes and avengers, challengers to the claims of pre-eminence of the God far above the heavens and majestic beyond measure? And yet these enemies of the majestic ruler of the universe are held back by the weakest wall imaginable – the mere breath of babes!

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. ²⁶ Brothers and sisters, 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 God 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.” (1 Corinthians 1:25-29) (NIVUK)

The strength of weakness, the babe in a manger, death on a cross, declare the matchless wisdom and majesty of the one who cast the stars in the heavens…and silences all before Him so that no-one may boast. The only response left is to bow humbly before Him and praise His wisdom and majesty and strength!