No one wants to be weak. It is never fun to be the low man on the ladder of life. I have worked many entry level jobs and you know what is worse than that? Being unemployed after being fired. That is the worst. Weakness is nothing to boast about but then again – the Bible has many paradoxes for us to consider. God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom are not the same.
Strength of Superman
For example society loves the superhero. A superman who can do all things. Captain America fought and won the battles on our behalf. But what if God is not looking for a Captain America or a Superman? What if God wants the weak and unassuming person to fight the battle? Paul claims that God left him in a state of physical weakness so that God’s perfect strength might be seen in all that Paul would accomplish.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Better to Rich or Poor?
And this brings me to the Book of James. James gives us a contrast of poor vs rich. The poor should boast in what God will do and the rich should boast in humility. We must understand that it is not our strength but God’s. If we want to please God then we need to embrace him as King.
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. James 1:9-11 ESV
The Weakness in Me
Everyone agrees without thinking they want to see the Rich humbled. We all know how the rich have more and lord it over us mere peasants. But I want to focus on what James says to the lowly brother. We can break down verse 9 “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.”
Lowly means not rising far from the ground. It is a person who is weak and pushed to the ground. This is the reality of life for many around the world. Doing just enough to make it day to day. Underemployment, Sickness, mental anguish, physical oppression from others, or physical limitations in the body are more than enough to keep a man low. So if you identify with that person James is speaking to you. Lowly brother Jesus is calling you will you hear him?
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Boast in Weakness
Jesus calls. Come to me all who are lowly all who want to boast in weakness. I labor and I strive but I am low and tired. Jesus says I will give you rest. Jesus the most powerful superhuman who has ever lived says that he is gentle and lowly in heart. He knows what it is like to be kicked and beaten down by the harsh reality of life.
James says to boast not in the lowness or the weakness of life. James says to boast in the fact that Jesus will exalt the lowly brother. Paul said he rejoices in his own weakness because he knows that God’s power will carry him to new heights.
Boast Not in What You Can Do
The kind of boasting here is no pride in what the person has done but it is a moment to rejoice and joy to highlight because of what God has done and is about to do.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 ESV
Boasting or rejoicing in suffering seems strange but this is what boasting in weakness is all about. Our weakness and our playing ourselves as the mercy of God leads to hope that God will love us and that we will see him act in our lives to exalt us. Not because of our strength but because we trust him in our weakness.
