True strength

Well then, are we Jews in any better condition than the Gentiles? Not at all! I have already shown that the Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say:

‘There is no one who is righteous,
no one who is wise
or who worships God.
All have turned away from God;
they have all gone wrong;
no one does what is right, not even one.’
(verses 9-12)

Read Romans 3:9-20

The mud is oozing everywhere. The girl screams and thrashes and only sinks deeper into the mire. Suddenly Tarzan swings across the screen and, to the cheers of the audience, flings a vine to the stranded woman and with bulging muscles pulls her to safety. She is saved at last, not through her own efforts, but through the strength of one man.

Your life resembles a Hollywood story too. You are ‘under the power of sin’, wallowing in it with no way out. Thank God that he came to your rescue. Not on a jungle vine, but on a cross and through his death, for without his resurrection, you are truly sunk.

You saved me, O Lord, through your strength alone. Help me to cling to your strength throughout my life. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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