The Poor Man's Portions

When We were Still Without Strength

By Robert Hawker

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom 5:6

My soul bind up this sweet and precious scripture, and carry it about with you in your bosom, and in your heart, that it may help you at any time, and at all times, when your strength seems gone, and there is no power left. Was it not when the whole nature of man was without strength, that Christ was given of the Father? And was it not equally so, when Christ came to seek and save that which was lost? And was it not in due time when Christ died for the ungodly; due time in his resurrection, due time in his ascension, "when he ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them?"

Go further yet, my soul, as it concerns yourself--was it not due time indeed. when Jesus passed by and saw you in your loathsome state of sin, cast out to perish, and when no eye pitied you, that then his eye showed compassion to you, and bid you live? Who more ungodly than you? Who more weak? Who more undeserving? Did Jesus then look upon you, call you, strengthen you when you were without strength, and has he helped you to this hour? Oh then, trust him now, trust him for ever. "His strength is made perfect in your weakness." And depend upon it, when you are most weak in yourself, then is the hour to be most strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. He that in due time died for the ungodly, will be your strength in due time of need.