What Are You Made Of?
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! (Proverbs 24:10)
What is the strongest physical substance known to man? Metal, right? Even if you had a different answer, let’s go with that. We know metal is strong - so strong, in fact, it’s almost impossible to break.
In examining metals and their properties, I found some very interesting information. Let’s look first at what we call “precious” metals:
Gold: Gold is probably the most expensive of the precious metals, and its expense fluctuates. But gold is SOFT. A tiny mustard seed piece of gold can be pounded out to provide the gold leaf on a copy of War and Peace! Gold is WEAK. For us to be able to wear gold, say as a necklace chain, it has to be mixed with another metal. Unless it’s mixed, gold is too soft and weak to hold its form.
Silver: Silver is stronger than gold, and it doesn’t have to be mixed with another metal to hold its form, but it is still pliable. One of the reasons silver is so popular in jewelry is that it can be pounded and manipulated into different shapes.
How about the stronger metals?
Bronze: Bronze is stronger than iron, so it seems like a good choice for the “strength” in this proverb. But bronze is a mixture of copper and tin - both of which are soft metals and easy to shape. Bronze doesn’t corrode the way other metals do (like iron), but it does form layers of tarnish on itself to protect it from rapid or further corrosion.
Steel: Steel is super strong! In fact, we know steel is most often the metal used in buildings (steel beams, anyone?). It is, surprisingly, very flexible (another reason it’s used in buildings). It’s heavy and has a long life, especially as it's recyclable. However, steel can rust if it gets wet.
Now let’s take a look at some non-metal strength.
Sponge: Sponges are flexible - they don’t easily break. They are also multi-use. You can use a sponge to wash dishes, your car, and your body. Sponges can be used to absorb moisture anywhere, and their flexibility allows them to be shoved into the tiniest crevice if necessary. They can be microwaved to disinfect them. Sponges are durable - the sponge I use to wash my dishes lasts a LONG time even though I always microwave it before I use it. But eventually, they break down and tear.
Bamboo: Bamboo is SUPER strong. Bamboo is designed to withstand pressure. Bamboo stands tall where it grows, and when the wind blows, no matter how intensely, it moves WITH the wind. It bends with the wind but never breaks. It is also impervious to natural enemies. No bugs, mildew, animals, etc. ever mess with bamboo. Bamboo has strong, deep roots that stick together like a cord of three strands (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Gold and silver look nice, but they’re not strong
Bronze and steel are strong, but both are subject to corrosion and rusting.
A sponge is durable, but it will eventually tear.
We all know it’s easy to follow God when all is right with the world, but as believers, we also know (because Jesus told us) we will have trouble in this world. In fact, the closer we walk with God, the MORE trouble we will have because Satan doesn’t want that.
The question is: What are you made of?
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! (Proverbs 24:10)
Be bamboo.
Be bamboo, and let the enemy underestimate you.
Be strong and only bend as far as necessary to hold your ground.
Be impervious to natural enemies - the lies of Satan, apathy, laziness, and the temptations of this world.
We are up against a powerful enemy, but we are designed to withstand pressure and reinforced by the Holy Spirit who is in us.
In 2 Chronicles (and 2 Kings chapter 6), Elisha’s servant is scared because the king of Assyria has sent a huge army after them. But Elisha saw what his servant did not, and it is what we need to KNOW in every moment of our lives - especially in times of trouble:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.
Elisha was bamboo, and we can be too. Simply fill in the blank.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of _______________, for there is a greater power with us than with ____________.
AMEN
