2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

TO PONDER

Have you seen the movie, "Waking Ned Devine"? It's a great movie, if you don't mind a little bit of 'colourful' Irish language. The story goes that an elderly local man, Ned Devine, has won a massive lottery jackpot, but it appears the shock of the win causes him to have a heart attack. A couple of his old buddies realise what has happened and begin the process of trying to convince the lottery board that one of them is Ned Devine. Of course the other local villagers begin to realise something is up until eventually the whole town is promised a share of the winnings if they will play along with the ruse.

I mention this movie because it reminds me that just like the two men in this movie could not carry off this fraud by themselves, neither can we do much on our own. It was only as the two men in the movie began to realise they could not pull this thing off themselves, that the strength and unity of the community came to the fore. What Paul is getting at here in 2 Corinthians is similar, it is only when we come to the end of our own strength and realise that we cannot do much on our own, that we really begin to rely on Christ. It's at that point, when we make space for God and rely on him, that we are able to accomplish those wonderful works that God has planned in advance for us to do.

So where do you need to rely on God today?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you that when life is getting overwhelming I can rely on you to bring me through. Please help me to rely on you at all times, even when things are going smoothly and to remember to always praise and thank you for everything you have done, and will continue to do for me. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle