"32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life."
Hebrews 11:32-35
'Out of weakness', the Apostle continues, 'they were made strong'. This also is the result of faith, and what encouragement it gives us. We might well tremble and falter when thinking of the challenge of yesterday's words and feel we are not made of the stuff it takes for such heroic living. But we err if we think that the men of faith were naturally endowed with strength and vigour for the tasks appointed them. Precisely the opposite is the case. Elijah was a man of like passions as we are; Gideon was the least in his father's house (Judges 6:15), and all the indications are that he was a timid and fearful man. But his very weakness became God's opportunity, so to speak, for God clothed Himself with Gideon, and the transformation was thus effected. His strength was made perfect in Gideon's weakness. Human weakness is the 'door' by which God comes to reach the world He longs to bless and save. This is a great lesson to learn. Some of the Church's most greatly used men have been so in the face of truly gigantic weaknesses and dangerous and disastrous weaknesses of nature and temperament, men whom in their weakness God met and took up to use for His glory. Ah, afflicted and tormented one, do not think of your weakness as a liability. It is a potential qualification for service, and through faith it may be transmuted into strength such as you had not dreamed of. Be of good courage.