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I once underwent replacement surgery for both knees.

Hours of physical therapy followed my surgery. As I oscillated back and forth from one leg to the other, I frequently heard my physical therapist say, “That’s because you have no good leg to stand on.” She challenged me because many of her patients had had only one knee replaced and would compensate with the one that had not required surgery.

I often thought about balancing on a good leg while doing rehab on the bad one. I envisioned how I might be able to walk with minimal difficulty and be able to reach things that required the strength of at least one leg.

I also wonder how often I have thought I could accomplish God’s will for my life under my own effort. I have the idea that I still have one good leg to please God with and believe I can accomplish His purposes without His power. I hobble my way through life seeking to walk the Christian walk.

Paul thought he could become righteous through his own efforts. Only when he had a face-to-face encounter with God did he realize that was impossible. Just as it is impossible to please God by our own efforts before we become a child of God, so it is also impossible to do so after we become God’s child. Even though we are saved, we cannot be good enough to please God.

We must admit we do not have a “good leg to stand on.” All that God allows us to do for Him is by His grace alone. The Holy Spirit gives us strength to want to please and serve God.

Recognize your weaknesses and remember you are dependent on God’s grace moment by moment and step by step.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)