How Small Is My Strength?
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Proverbs 24:1-22 and Psalms 119:1-16 (NIV)
(Lim Cheng Geok from BRD Core Team)
READ:
Proverbs 24:1-22 and Psalms 119:1-16 (NIV)
In particular, I focused on Proverbs 24: 10-12 (Saying 25):
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
OBSERVE:
Proverbs 24:1-22 is the concluding section of thirty Sayings of “The Wise,” that begin at Proverbs 22:17. The purpose of these sayings is to impart practical skills about how we relate to people and nurture a deep reverence and love for God.
I see both elements combined in verses 10-12. Verse 11 is an imperative to extend help and save those in danger or experiencing injustice. And verse 12 is a clear warning that we cannot feign ignorance when we fail to live justly and righteously because the one who sustains our lives, the Lord Himself, discerns the inner workings of our hearts and will judge.
APPLY:
I’ve recently been studying the book of Revelation with the Bible Study Fellowship and it’s struck me anew that although we live in peaceful, prosperous Singapore, we are actually immersed in an unseen but very real cosmic battle between good and evil. All around us, we see how the evil one lies and misleads people through political and economic power, and the upending of God’s truth and righteousness. In Revelation, God reminds His people that this darkness is pierced by the glorious power of the slain lamb, Christ Jesus, whose light shines bright, accompanied by His army of faithful servants.
As I’m prompted to reflect on my role in this army, I have to confess that I have shamefully turned away from opportunities to share the gospel: sometimes it’s because I just don’t know how to, sometimes it’s from fear of how the person would react or what they would think of me, sometimes it’s because I was busy or tired, sometimes it was because of sheer apathy.
DO:
I resolve to follow the wisdom of Psalm 119:1-16 which exhorts me to live well by keeping God’s precepts, statutes and commandments diligently, to hide them in my heart and to speak of them with my mouth (v13).
PRAY:
Dear heavenly Father, forgive me my heart of stone. Please remove it and grant me a new heart and a new spirit as You promise in Your word. Grant me a heart of flesh to care about those being led away to death. May Your Spirit grant me wisdom and big strength to faithfully serve in Your army to share the Good News for Your glory. In my Saviour’s name, Amen.
