Devotions with Pastor Michael De Haan

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 For 12:9)

Most of the time when I think of strength, I think of physical strength and endurance. I think of working out and exercising. But if your physical health and appearance is all you invest your life in, then you’ll miss out on something that lasts forever—the Kingdom of God. And you can’t fight for God’s Kingdom using physical strength alone. The men and women who are really strong—the ones who are world changers—are those who honestly admit their limitations and weaknesses.

In fact their refrain is, “Lord, I am weak. And I need you.”

You see, in God’s Kingdom, being strong isn’t about having a six-pack of abs, the perfect CrossFit regimen, nor is it about succeeding in life and winning people’s admiration. Being strong begins with knowing the source of one’s true strength. It’s declaring, “There is a God, and I’m not him!” It’s recognizing your weaknesses and turning to God to empower you to be the person God made you to be.

The devil wants to make the mighty fall. And he’s the master of making the strong become weak. Sometimes he does this by making us comfortable with a mediocre life that’s familiar and doesn’t require much from us.

On the other hand, God is the master of making weak people strong. And God’s power is no match for the devil. God extends grace to the humble. Our challenge is to live boldly with the strength God provides.

- Pastor Michael