Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Strong When Weak
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Strong When Weak
Paradox derives from an ancient Greek word, paradoxon, that meant “contrary opinion.” The Bible contains many paradoxes: The last shall be first, we receive by giving, we live by dying, and more. One of the most practical paradoxes in Scripture is that when we are weak, we are strong. The apostle Paul stated as much in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 when he found himself in a situation of weakness. He discovered that his own weakness allowed the strength of Christ to be manifested in his life more clearly.
It is almost paradoxical that the church in Asia Minor that Christ commended for its faithfulness was also a church that had “little strength”—the church in Philadelphia. The church was being persecuted by the Jewish community and was in a place of human weakness as a result. And yet Christ commended them for keeping His Word and not denying His Name. They demonstrated that it is possible, when humanly weak, to be spiritually strong.
If you find yourself in a place of weakness today, meditate on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 and ask God to manifest His strength in your weakness.
I cannot go deeper into weakness than Jesus went.
John Hindley
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Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
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Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).