In the heat of summer, a little mouse snuck into my house. I watched it limp frantically across the floor as our big cat Lily chased it under a chair. Lily had already wounded the tiny critter, and it was hobbling along as fast as its wounded little leg would allow.
I named it Mephibosheth, from the Biblical account of Jonathan’s disabled son whom David took into his household after his father's death. Being crippled limited Mephibosheth’s abilities, but David did not care about the handicap; he didn’t even ask how severe it was. He extended the lovingkindness of the Lord to the disabled boy and gave him a place of honor and purpose, with no regard for his weakness or limitation.
Fear drove the crippled mouse Mephibosheth across the floor, under the chair. His weakened condition made him an easy target as Lily bounded toward him. What used to be strong and dependable—his four legs—were weakened, wounded, and undependable, but he kept running.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage… They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5,7 NKJV). When we reach the end of our strength and turn to God to take over with His strength, we tap into a supernatural type of strength and ability to face the most difficult situations and circumstances.
The word “strength” in Psalm 84 refers to God’s strength which calls on a force—an army, a host—of might and power. When the Lord of Hosts (angel armies) brings His strength to our crippled, weakened attempts at victory, we are infused with His power and might. He graciously extends His lovingkindness and strength to us and gives us a place of honor and purpose in His Body, without regard for our weakness and limitation.
As we journey through life on a pilgrimage with Christ, we can keep running to safety, as Mephibosheth the mouse did, even when danger chases us or backs us into a corner. Taking others along on this pilgrimage encourages us even more, as individually and corporately, we take on the strength of the Lord to overcome difficulties and obstacles. When we encourage each other, our strength and endurance to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and effectively grow from strength to strength.
Remember, the scripture does not say, I can do all things through me who strengthens me; it says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). And because the Lord’s strength empowers us, we can triumphantly proclaim, When I am weak, then I am strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT).
© 2023, Chris Werre