The Keys to Strength in Weakness

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."'”
(Matthew 4:4).

We often think of strength as something that comes when we feel our best—when we’re full of energy and confidence. Yet, in God's kingdom, the opposite is often true. Sometimes, when we are at our weakest, that’s exactly where God wants us to be. It’s in those moments of vulnerability and emptiness that God’s power is made perfect in us.

One of the clearest examples of this truth is seen in the life of Jesus when he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. In Matthew 4, we read that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, where He fasted for 40 days. It may seem counterintuitive that God would lead Jesus into a place where He would be tested and weakened. Wouldn’t it make more sense for God to strengthen Him in advance? But Jesus’ time in the desert was intentional and that was to demonstrate the power of God at work in a place of total vulnerability.

This is where we see a profound truth about how God works in our lives as well: God often works most powerfully when we are at our weakest. When we feel like we have nothing left to give, that’s when God’s strength can shine the brightest in and through us. Just as Jesus faced His greatest temptations when He was at His weakest physically, we too may face the greatest tests in our lives in moments when we feel the least equipped to handle them.

Like Jesus, when you’re weak, you’re in a perfect position for God’s strength to be made perfect in you. Rely on the Word of God as your weapon, trust in God’s promises to give you peace, and exercise your authority in Christ to help you resist the Enemy’s attacks. These three keys are the spiritual tools that will enable you to stand firm, even when you feel most vulnerable.

God doesn’t ask us to fight in our own strength. He leads us into places where we can learn to rely on His power—because that is where we find true victory. If you feel weak in your faith today, find hope and encouragement at the link below.

Listen to the sermon: How to Be Strong When You Feel Weak

Part 1

Ministry Update from Mark

As incidents of antisemitism continue to rise globally, it is more crucial than ever for believers to unite and take a stand. According to a report from the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a 200% increase in anti-Jewish incidents throughout the US in 2024 alone. More than 10,000 episodes of antisemitism reported by the ADL included roughly 8,015 incidents of verbal or written harassment, 1,840 incidents of vandalism, and 150 incidents of a physical nature.

Hatred against any ethnicity or group of people in our nation is completely unacceptable. Let’s courageously take a stand alongside our Jewish friends and neighbors and demonstrate God’s love to them by combating this rampant antisemitism that plaques our world today.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil:
God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer