Joyful Noise: Feeling weak and poor?
By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
The saying “Let the weak say, I am strong” comes from Joel 3:10 (KJV): “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.”
This verse is part of a prophecy where God calls the nations to prepare for a great battle. The book of Joel primarily focuses on God’s judgment and restoration. In chapter 3, God speaks about gathering the nations for judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The call to turn farming tools into weapons signifies an impending war.
When God says, “Let the weak say, I am strong,” it is an encouragement for those who feel powerless to rise with courage. Though weak in the natural sense, they are being strengthened by God’s purpose.
Spiritually, this verse has been used to encourage believers to proclaim strength even when they feel weak. It aligns with New Testament teachings such as 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Paul says: “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.” This means that when believers acknowledge their weakness, they can rely on God’s strength to sustain them.
Understanding the saying “Let the Poor Say, I Am Rich”
Unlike “Let the weak say, I am strong,” the phrase “Let the poor say, I am rich” does not appear verbatim in the King James Version (KJV) Bible. However, its message is reflected in several scriptures, particularly in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV): “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
This verse highlights the spiritual riches that believers receive through Christ. Though Jesus was rich in divine glory, he humbled himself and became poor (taking on human form and suffering) so that through his sacrifice, believers could inherit the riches of his grace.
What great encouragement! Your strength and riches lie in the tender mercies and loving kindness of God that is bestowed upon you every morning. You are not walking life alone!
Colossians 3:16-17 says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
What great strength you will find as you search out the rich Word of God. Yes, in every task, every step, every decision, every situation, every dream, let the rich Word of God strengthen you for today. It will be your rich strength in all you do or say as you do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
