Inadequacy: November 11, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2014.

INADEQUACY

DEFINITION:

Not adequate; short coming; insufficiency; deficiency.

SCRIPTURE:

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Sprit gives life. II Corinthians 3:5-6.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Life is filled with struggles that show us our human inadequacies. Physical problems leave us weak and we are unable to cope with them at times. Relational troubles most often bring confusion and stress to us. Bad habits and addictions make us feel more inadequate and leads to defeat.  Financial pressures damage our self-worth.

Most of us show a fear and frustration in dealing with challenges we face that are too big for us to handle. We need to acknowledge our inadequacies and recognize that no situation, no problem is too big for God to handle for us.

Many times our inadequacies are the means of a blessing coming to us. Inadequacies stir up all sorts of uncomfortable emotions that make us feel insignificant and weak. When we get to that position and acknowledge our helplessness, depend on His strength and step into our challenges with confidence in our Lord, He can turn the negatives of our inadequacies into blessings.

Paul recognized that he was not adequate to accomplish anything as he states in the verse we have put above, II Corinthians 3:5-6. He acknowledged that his adequacy came from the Lord. Our own abilities and strength limit us and can only carry us so far. Paul humbly admitted it was only with God’s help that he could carry out the responsibility that God had called him to, to go personally and preach the gospel message across the Roman Empire.

As a result God used Paul in a mighty way and no other person has done more to shape the history of Christianity after Christ’s return to heaven. Paul readily admitted his weakness and he was glad for them because it was through his weaknesses he saw his inadequacy and his need to rely on God.

Paul said, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me” II Corinthians 12:9. When we feel we are adequate in our own strength and ability we are tempted to leave God out and do things in our own way.

There are several reasons how inadequacies can be a blessing to us:

•    They drive us to God as we recognize our helplessness.

•    They relieve us of the burden of trying to do God’s will in our own strength.

•    It can motivate us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

•    They provide an opportunity for the Lord to show us what He can do.

•    They increase our usefulness to God by replacing our pride with humility.

•    It allows Christ to receive all the glory and gives us peace as we rely totally on Him.

When we claim the adequacy of Christ in our lives, we can face every circumstance with a sense of confidence, not in ourselves but in God, who is more than capable to handle every situation we might face in life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:19:

God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Help me to rely on the Holy Spirit to turn my inadequacies over to You. I want to depend on Your power to make my life more functional for You. Keep me from trying to do things my way and direct me every moment of every day to do Your will.