Beginning in middle school, our teachers started to force us to stand in front of the class and make presentations. I was terrified. My legs and my voice shook violently. When I finally was allowed to sit down, I felt drained, humiliated and angry. If another boy snickered at my pain, I made him pay for it between classes. Even today at age 61 I still sometimes suffer from "weak knees", fear that threatens to take over my body and turn me into its drone.
Heb 12:12-13 says "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed."
In times of discipline weak knees can be deadly. It is time to stand steadfast. It is not time to flinch and run. Weak knees want to make for the exits. Weak knees want to say "enough all ready, I quit." There may be a time for quitting, but this is NOT it. There may be some things that you should leave behind, but this season of discipline is not one of them.
Hebrews 12:12 looks like a quote from Isaiah 35. Below is the whole chapter, only 10 verses. It is a promise of restoration. It is encouragement for the weak kneed.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord , the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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