The Service of the Weak Pleases God

📖 And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it. (Daniel 8:27)

It’s amazing to me that a great God who deserves to have strong hands and feet on earth through us, is not hindered by our weaknesses.

In Daniel 8, we see Daniel receiving terrifying visions from God that made a physical impact on him. During those days, he was serving the king.

We can only imagine how difficult it must have been to focus and serve properly while dealing with those terrifying visions at night, and not to mention likely lacking sleep.

Serving while Weak

“Let us not neglect the work of the Lord, though less able to perform it. A sick child’s service is doubly accepted.” (Trapp)

It is a humbling thought despite the heaviness he must have felt, Daniel continued to faithfully serve the king.

In his commentary, Trapp remarks, “Let us not neglect the work of the Lord, though less able to perform it. A sick child’s service is doubly accepted.”

Oftentimes, especially for my generation, we don’t want to extend ourselves on days we feel weak, to prevent “burnout”. But I think it’s important that we also learn what it means to be burnt out from extending ourselves in things beyond God’s calling, and what it means when God calls us to endure.

Paul has faced much turmoil in his ministry, even to the point of death, yet his faithfulness and endurance continued. Similarly, Daniel went about his work.

God is pleased with those who give their all to what they know they are called to do, especially when it comes from a faithful rather than a begrudging heart.

Daniel didn’t let either spiritual mysteries or physical weakness keep him from doing his duty. This shows us that our interest in prophecy should make us more  concerned with our king’s business, not less concerned about it. -David Guzik

God the Sustainer

📖 Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:11, emphasis mine)

Being entrusted with gifts, skills, jobs, businesses, and everything in between, as exciting as it is to work, sometimes the thought of enduring for a long period of time can be daunting. I especially feel this on days when I feel particularly lethargic, or just emotionally off.

So when we have promises like this in 1 Peter 4:11 saying that God is our Great Supplier of strength, wisdom, and ideas, isn’t that such a relief?

Even more importantly, I think we should learn to do all things with this mindset: how does this display the excellence of God through Christ? Notice that when we work and serve with God’s strength, it is not meant to give us the glory, but Him.

I pray that you would let God continue to strengthen you and help you in everything that you do. I leave you with this precious word from Jesus Himself:

📖 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

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