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Weak Hands / Feeble Knees

We all know what it's like to face trials and temptations in our walk with the Lord. Our most important objective when undergoing severe testings of our faith should be to remain strong throughout the time of testing - whether it be through persecution, sickness, bereavement, or affliction.

We must make every effort to bear up under the trial.
In no way should we give place to Fear or Discouragement.
If we do, we will find ourselves falling into Sin or sinking under the calamity, trial, or weight of the affliction.


Hebrews 12:12 - "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."
Isaiah 35:3 - "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees."
Job 16:5 - "But I would strengthen you with my mouth..."
Job 4:4 - "Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees."

Throughout the Scriptures we find certain expressions such as "weak hands" and "feeble knees." These are descriptive terms indicative of a timid, fearful, and desponding frame of mind. Since physical strength resides mainly in the arms or legs of a man, to say that one has "weak hands" and "feeble knees" surely indicates a feeble and helpless frame.

Hebrews 12:12 tells us "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."
The words "lift up" mean to make straight or set up.

What are we to straighten or set up? "The hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."

Isaiah 35:3 tells us - "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees."
We are to help, repair, cure, fortify, make firm or resolute the "weak hands."
We are to establish and make solid the "feeble knees."

What exactly are these "hands which hang down" or the "weak hands"?
What are these "feeble knees" as depicted in the Scriptures?

The "hands which hang down" or the "weak hands" are one and the same.
They refer to hands which -
...are weakened through weariness
...are exhausted in battle.
...are unable to work
...can hardly be lifted up in prayer any more.

We are encouraged in the Scriptures to "lift up" the hands which are weakened from weariness and exhaustion.
Straighten them.
Lift them up in prayer once again.
"Strengthen" the "weak hands."
Let them once again work for the Lord and fight His battles.

"Lift up...the feeble knees."
The "feeble knees" are unable to stand for the Lord or walk with Him.
They are unfit for the race.

In Hebrews 12:13, we are encouraged to "...make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."

The "feeble knees" are shaking, trembling, tottering, and wavering through weakness of the legs. Allowing Fear to creep in while undergoing trials relaxes the strength of the arms and the firmness of the knees. Therefore, we are admonished to "confirm the feeble knees." In other words, be steadfastly minded. Be bold, alert, strong, and courageous. We are to establish and solidify every step that we take for the Lord.

Hebrews 12:12 - How do we "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees"?
Isaiah 35:3 - How do we "strengthen...the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees"?

Our answer lies in three Scriptures.
In Job 4:4, Eliphaz the Temanite testified of Job - "Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees."
In Job 16:5, Job assured his friends - "But I would strengthen you with my mouth..."
In Isaiah 35:4, God instructed the Prophet Isaiah - "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you."

Words have Great Power.
They have Power to "uphold" - to lift up, stir up, raise up, strengthen, and make sure - all those who are faltering, stumbling, fainting, and wavering through weakness.
They have Power to encourage; alert; and make firm, solid, and bold all those who are weak through Fear or sinking down because of "feeble knees."

No words are greater, more effective, or more powerful than God's Words.

Job was able to strengthen others with his mouth because he was a man full of God.
His words were able to stir up all those who were stumbling along the way because he walked with the Lord.
Job 1:1 - His words were able to strengthen the feeble knees because he was a man who "feared God, and eschewed evil."

When was the last time that you strengthened someone with your mouth?
When was the last time that your very own words upheld someone who was falling or strengthened their "feeble knees"?

There is nothing so uplifting like the Word of God.
Isaiah 35:4 - God said to Isaiah - "Say to them..."

Are you undergoing severe trials and testings of your Faith?
Do you feel like you have "weak hands" and "feeble knees"?
Isaiah 35:4 - Let God's Word through the Prophet Isaiah uplift you today - "...Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you."

Are you tired and heavy-laden?
Have you been mistreated and lied on?
Have you been the topic of other people's gossip and slander?
Are you suffering persecution because you spoke the Truth for God?
Have you been rejected by others because of your Strong Stand for Holiness?

Let God's Word strengthen you today.
Let His Word cause you to arise to new strength in Him.
Don't sink under the heavy trials that you are presently facing.
Allow the Word of God to make you more determined than ever before to live for God.

Are you fearful of the uncertainties of the future that lie before you?
"Be strong, fear not."

Are you fearful of things never changing in your circumstances?
"Be strong, fear not."

Are you fearful of losing what you worked so hard to gain?
"Be strong, fear not."

"God will come."
Things will not always be the way that they are.
"God will come."
"He will come and save you."

Let His Word in your Daily Time alone with Him strengthen you.
Let His Word through His chosen servants strengthen your "weak hands" and confirm your "feeble knees."

Hebrews 4:12 tells us - "For the word of God is quick and powerful..."

It will lift you up.
It will strengthen you.
It will confirm you.
Resultantly, you will no longer have "weak hands" and "feeble knees."


May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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