The Strength of Stones
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient? Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?
Job 6:11-13
+
The Strength of Stones
There is a reason we describe strong things as “rock hard”. Stone is durable and strong, not easily broken or destroyed. Yet even the hardest of stones is not indestructible. Given enough time, one day even Mount Everest will be but a gentle hike, as it is worn down by wind and water, reduced to rubble as it breaks down. We humans like to pretend we have a hard exterior and can resist anything. We put up a brave front in the face of adversity. Yet even the strongest of us crack and breakdown. This is why we needed someone who would not wither and fade, someone who could withstand the assaults of the devil and this world. Left to ourselves we would quickly be reduced to rubble and the only stone left in us would be the hardness of our hearts towards God. But Christ changes all this for the faithful. He gives us the strength through His Word and Sacraments to have the strength of the hardest stone, to allow us to withstand the assaults of sin, death, and the devil. Because it is in Christ’s strength which we rely on and not our own. It is through Christ we are made anew, in His image.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Job 6:11-13
+
The Strength of Stones
There is a reason we describe strong things as “rock hard”. Stone is durable and strong, not easily broken or destroyed. Yet even the hardest of stones is not indestructible. Given enough time, one day even Mount Everest will be but a gentle hike, as it is worn down by wind and water, reduced to rubble as it breaks down. We humans like to pretend we have a hard exterior and can resist anything. We put up a brave front in the face of adversity. Yet even the strongest of us crack and breakdown. This is why we needed someone who would not wither and fade, someone who could withstand the assaults of the devil and this world. Left to ourselves we would quickly be reduced to rubble and the only stone left in us would be the hardness of our hearts towards God. But Christ changes all this for the faithful. He gives us the strength through His Word and Sacraments to have the strength of the hardest stone, to allow us to withstand the assaults of sin, death, and the devil. Because it is in Christ’s strength which we rely on and not our own. It is through Christ we are made anew, in His image.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the LordThe Whole Armor of GodStand FirmLove IncorruptibleGrace and PeaceHope Laid UpRedemptionThe Fullness of GodReconciledThe Hope of GloryToilGreat StruggleRooted in Christ