Strengthen Your Hands and Feeble Knees

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Therefore, strengthen the hands, which hang down, and the feeble knees.

Hebrews 12:12 (NKJV)

I will never forget a preaching trip we made to a distant church during my secondary school days. We set out from school early, braving the chilly weather. By the time the sun began to warm the earth, we had arrived at the church.

To our disappointment, the church had relocated the day’s service to another venue. Someone was waiting to take us to the place of worship. Fifteen minutes passed, then half an hour, and one hour. The church was nowhere in sight.

By now, the sun was getting hotter. Most of us had removed their sweaters and untacked their shirts. Every time we asked our guide how far we were from the church, he said we were almost there.

Finally, we arrived at the foot of a hill where we could hear hymns and choral music coming from the peak. We could not see the congregation but we were sure we had arrived. By now, most us had removed their shirts.

The hardest part was the ascent. I was sweating profusely. The sweat would occasionally penetrate my eyes and cause serious pain. My legs were giving up. The hands were hanging down every time I paused to breath.

Strengthen Your Hands and Feeble Knees

Luckily enough, our mentor was amongst us. He urged us on. He told us to listen to the music coming from the hill, and keep going. At last, one by one, we arrived at the top, and fell on the grass, exhausted.

The Christian journey is similar to our experience. The writer of the book of Hebrews urged readers, “Therefore, strengthen the hands, which hang down, and the feeble knees.” (Hebrews 12:12). The language of giving up is foreign.

In the journey of faith, there will be moments of exhaustion and frustration. Worldly cares, hostile people, unfulfilled dreams and powerful temptations will weigh you down. You will ask whether the journey to heaven is worth the suffering and sacrifice.

We may fall along the way but we must rise up and continue with the journey. Here is a question that is also a promise: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

Father, whenever I tremble or fall, remind me to rise up because You are there to strengthen me.