1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I enter into your word today, would you bring stillness to my body and peace to my mind as I prepare for you to speak to me. Amen.

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

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. 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. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 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. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (v. 26-31)

Encounter: A friend recently took me to the gym for the first time in several years. As we made our way around the different weights, it was clear that I was a lot weaker than I had first imagined and those around me were a lot stronger. In the eyes of many, strength, in whatever guise, is often celebrated. However, strength is usually thought of in narrow terms. In 1 Corinthians 1, the traditional ideas of strength and weakness are reversed. Paul describes God’s weakness as stronger than human strength and how God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. The Corinthian church had a problem with one-upmanship among Christians. But Paul is setting out what he wants to say throughout 1 Corinthians - that the ‘way up’ in life is, in fact, the ‘way down.’

Do you think of yourself as weak? That might be an uncomfortable question. But, by accepting our human frailty and weakness, we accept what our projections of strength are trying to cover up – the reality that we are completely helpless and dependent on God. Those who know they are weak and acknowledge it, make way for God’s grace and power to be outworked in their lives. When we know our own weakness, we also make space for dependence on God’s strength.

Apply: Are there areas of my life where I am trying to rely on my own strength? What are they? How can I invite God into those spaces? 

Devote: Lord Jesus, thank you for the beauty that is made possible in weakness. I’m sorry for where I try to rely on my own strength. Please help me to rely on you today.