Finding Strength in Weakness
Strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight the paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. (Hebrews 12:12–13 CSB)
I have always loved Hebrews 12:1–2. If I had to consider any verses my “life verses,” I’d choose these. I love the imagery and how they convey the sense of power and completion in what Jesus did for us.
One morning a few weeks ago, Hebrews 12 was on my reading plan. My “favorite” verses kicked off my reading. I underlined key phrases once again and kept reading.
Then I reached verses 12 and 13. Those two verses didn’t seem familiar to me; they’re not oft-quoted verses that jump off the page. But this time the words stuck with me—especially the strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees part. I have tired hands and weakened knees, both literally and figuratively.
My knees started bothering me when I was in my late twenties. One day I sat down “crisscross applesauce,” and when I went to get back up, one of my knees wouldn’t straighten. From that moment on, I’ve had issues with my knees. Nothing too major; I just have to be careful how I use them. In my mid-thirties, I took up running again, and it went well for a few years. I didn’t even dread turning forty; I was actually kind of excited about that milestone birthday.
And forty was great! I was still running and competing in 5K races. I was setting personal bests, and I was proud of my achievement. Then forty-one hit, and it hit hard. My knee problems flared again and I threw my back out getting a bowl out of a cabinet. I was sidelined from running. It’s been a couple of years now (I’ll be forty-three this month), and I’m still struggling to get back out there. I am walking again, but that’s all. My knees are adamantly opposed to running. So you can see why a verse about weakened knees appealed to me.
At first I read the verses as encouragement to keep at it when things are difficult—run your race with perseverance—which they are. But look at the end of the verse 13. We are to do all these things to be healed.
Those words washed over me and gave me such hope. I felt like the Lord was saying, Get up. You can do this. You do your part and persevere. I will be your strength. I will be your healing.
So much in this life needs healing. Our physically tired hands and weakened knees need healing, but also, and more importantly, our tired and weakened hearts and spirits need the Lord’s healing.
Here on earth, we will grow weary and weak, but we’re not without hope. God is with us, and he will heal what is lame. We can trust him with our weariness and pain.
Dear Lord, thank you for sending the Savior for all people. Thank you for being our strength. I lift up those who are struggling physically, mentally, and spiritually today. Cover them with your healing hand. May they feel your strength fill them as well as the hope you bring. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB)
Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 CSB)
I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 CSB)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7 CSB)
Reach for More
Are you feeling tired and overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Spend time in God’s Word daily. Get involved with a group at your church. Reach out to a friend who has offered to share your burden. We would love to pray with you and for you as well. Join us in The Glorious Table Community group on Facebook.
is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Abbie Bernet, used with permission
