Attributes of God – God of the Weak
In this sermon, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about God’s compassionate heart that embraces all, but with a special care for the weak, because they feel their need for Him and allow His power to work in them.
1. God cares for the weak
God is the Lord of all, but He is especially near to the broken-hearted and the poor in spirit. Weakness does not mean failure, but the awareness of one’s constant need for God’s grace.
2. Biblical Examples
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David and Goliath: Young David defeated the giant not by his own power, but by the power of the Lord of Hosts.
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Moses and Pharaoh: God used the weak people of Israel against mighty Pharaoh, saying, “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
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The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: The Pharisee boasted in his own strength, but the humble tax collector was justified.
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The Sinful Woman: Christ defended her because she came to Him with a contrite heart.
3. God works through earthen vessels
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that God works through weak vessels “so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” God does not use the proud who rely on themselves, but the humble who confess their weakness before Him.
4. The danger of self-reliance
False strength brings pride and arrogance, distancing one from God. Even the saints and apostles did not depend on themselves:
Saint Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Saint Peter fell when he trusted his own power and learned that true strength comes from the Holy Spirit.
5. The Church in her weakness
In her early days, the Church was weak before the Roman Empire and the Jews, yet she conquered because God was with her. God is the God of the weak who call upon Him, not of the proud who trust in themselves.
6. Spiritual Lessons
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God loves humility and resists the proud.
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True weakness is the beginning of divine strength.
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In spiritual battles, one wins by admitting weakness and seeking God’s power.
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Believers must support the weak and never despise the fallen, for everyone is liable to fall.
7. Conclusion
God is the God of the weak and the needy—and also of the strong who feel their weakness. Whoever stands before God in humility becomes strong by His grace, but whoever boasts in himself will fall.
True strength lies not in man but in God, who “makes strength perfect in weakness” and turns humility into victory.
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