Compassion for the Weak - Martin Wiles

Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. Psalm 6:2 NLT

Being considered a weakling wasn’t enjoyable.

I was a plump child when I was born. Over nine pounds as a matter of fact. But I soon lost my baby fat and slimmed down—too much. I suppose my shape didn’t matter so much in elementary school, but by middle school, the peer pressure was on. When my friends were playing sports, I wasn’t. Although I really didn’t want to play sports, I wanted the body that would have allowed me to if I had wanted to. Neither did the girls didn’t fawn over skinny kids. They wanted the muscular boys.

All through middle and high school, I tried to change my weak appearance—with no luck. I drank Wate-On, ate as if food was about to disappear, and lifted weights. Nothing. I was weak, and I wanted someone to feel compassion for me. Only a few did. While others boys were dating numerous girls, I was lucky to discover one who wanted to date me.

Somehow I don’t picture David as weak. After all, as a boy, he took a sling and a few stones and pranced up to the giant Goliath. One toss of one rock, and Goliath was on his face. Or when he faced lions and bears while tending his father’s sheep. Perhaps his weakness was more than physical.

Being physically weak wasn’t enjoyable, but I’ve experienced weaknesses that were more torturing. I’ve had my bouts with emotional weakness. When I lost the grandparents who were like parents to me. When I watched my dad take his final breath. When my family fell apart. Times when God should have felt far away but times when He actually felt close by.

And I’ve done my time with stints of spiritual weakness. When I let temptations grow too strong without depending on God’s open door of escape. When I tired of doing religious things.

Like the psalmist, I reached points when I cried out to God because I was weak. My bones were in agony, and I needed relief. Each time, God was faithful to intervene. He didn’t always rescue me from the trial or temptation, but He moved me through it and held my hand as I walked. He was faithful to His promise never to leave or forsake me.

When you’re weak—in whatever way, remember God is strong.

Tweetable: Do you have compassion for the weak?

Prayer: Father, thank You for providing the strength we need to face any weakness that assaults us. 

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