When I used to work out at a gym I would do some light weightlifting, within the limits that my heart allowed.  It happened a couple times that another person working out would ask me to spot him as he did a bench press.  When I looked at the bar and saw a few weights attached to each end, I had to turn him down.  Not only would I be putting myself in jeopardy if I needed to grab the weight, but the lifter as well.  I didn’t have the might to keep the weight from falling on his chest or worst his throat.

The situation is quite different when we ask the Lord to come and keep our sins from crushing us.  Thus we pray on the fourth Sunday of Advent:

Stir up Your Power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

We will also sing:

O come, O come, thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times didst give the Law

In cloud and majesty and awe

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.