The Good in Weaknesses

Day seventy-nine

Today is my birthday!  I woke this morning with a heart filled with gratitude for all the blessings I have received over the last year.  This was a particularly rough year, but there were a lot of moments that I wouldn't change, because they brought my family even closer.  It was a simple prayer of gratitude.

Genesis 27

This chapter in Genesis is interesting because we see a different side to Isaac and his family.  As the story reads now, it exposes some of their weaknesses.
Isaac - Is it right that he favors Esau?
Rebekah - Is it right for her to deceive her husband?
Jacob - Is it right for him to deceive his father?
Esau - Is his attitude about his birthright wrong?

One of the interesting things about the Old Testament is that it presents people as they are.  Thus, we are often shown the human weaknesses of great people in its pages.  With that said, we also have to think that  there could be more to this story that we don't yet have, further details might let us in on events that show this story in a totally different light. Even if this is the case, the question should be what can we learn from this chapter just the way it sits?

There is a reason that we have weaknesses.  God often uses our weaknesses to achieve His goals:

To do His work
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Cor 1:27)

To bring us closer to Him
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9)

To perfect us
"For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection."  (2 Cor 13:9)

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."  (Ether 12:27)

It was through the weaknesses of these Old Testament characters that the Lord was able to move His work forward.  This should be comforting to us, knowing as we do that if they could make it to exaltation despite their weaknesses, so can we through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Next time you become frustrated with your weaknesses, stop and think about how God could use them to further His work, and how the challenge to overcome our weaknesses actually brings us closer to Him!  It really is a brilliant way to do things!