God's SWOT Analysis

Scripture:  Matthew 10:18 “You will stand trial before governors & kings because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me”

 

Observation:  Jesus never tried to hide the fact that following Him would be difficult.  He never said “Follow Me & all your problems will be instantly solved!”  No, He said: “Follow Me & I will always be with you”.  He has promised (v16) to send us out in weakness (as sheep among wolves).   He has promised persecution and difficulties because we are His followers.  But He has also promised that, if we will see every “threat” as an opportunity in God, He will fill our mouths with His words & give us His courage in the midst of the trial.  Businesses do SWOT analyses.  God has His own.  S=Strengths – God’s Strength.  W=Weaknesses – my weaknesses- for when I am weak, He is strong.  O=Opportunities – He will make the opportunities out of every situation – good or bad – if I am seeing from His perspective.  T=Threats – the biggest threat is me not trusting Him for the outcome, not stepping forward in faith when I need to “step up to the plate”.

 

Application:  When I am feeling Weak or Threatened, I must remember that my Lord has His own SWOT Analysis of the situation.  He answers my Weakness with his Strength.  He answers any Threats by reassuring me that He wants to use them as Opportunities.  But I must remain vigilant – listening to Him, seeing with His eyes, and above all trusting Him.

 

Prayer:  Thankyou, Lord, that with You every Threat can be turned into an Opportunity.   With You my Weaknesses are covered by Your Strength.  You have promised that You will build your Kingdom and You invite me to participate.  Thankyou for this privilege.  May I never allow my Weaknesses and fears of Threats to hold me back from the Opportunities You want me to grasp so that Your Strength might be evident in my life.

 

In Jesus’ name,   Amen.

 

Sue Otto