Babe Ruth struck out 1,333 times, but we remember him for his 714 home runs. Cy Young, one of the great pitchers, won 511 games. However, few know that he lost 316 games, which is more than any pitcher. Abraham Lincoln was badly beaten when he ran for the legislature. He then failed in business and then spent 17 years paying off the debt. He was defeated in his race for Senate, and again in his effort to be elected Vice-President. He had one setback after another, but eventually became the President of the United States. He was not a quitter.
Many Christians are faithful for a while, and in time of temptation or hardship fall away. As Israel, we have a tendency to forget God (Jer 2:32). In every church family there are those who were once faithful but are not anymore. They have ceased to worship God, gather with the saints, and participate in the work of the local church. Their light has gone out.
When we suffer or serve we tend to take stock in our own strength, and find it to be insufficient. God has strength (omnipotent), and His promise is that He will give it to us. There is no telling how much power God can put into man. When Divine strength comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance. The fact is that God gives us unexpected strength when trials & temptations come upon us. My own weakness makes me shrink, but God’s promise makes me brave. Remember, God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph 3:20).