I’ve heard that ancient marksmen who shot an arrow that fell short of the target were shouted at with a word that means ‘sinner’ which illustrates the NT verse: “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I’m not sure if the story is correct, but I do know that the verse hits the target. The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I realize how much I fall short when I try to do anything in my own strength.
At first, I did not realize the difference. I have skills and abilities. It took some time and much experience with Him to realize the fruitlessness of trusting myself, never mind even recognizing when I was doing it. Like those first disciples, every Christian needs the power and enabling of Jesus Christ to deal with the needs around us.
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. (Matthew 10:1)
At first, the disciples didn’t know the difference either, yet as they began to realize their efforts fell short, they also realized that Jesus could overcome all their inadequacies.
Lest I think these disciples were super stars or above-normal people, today’s devotional reminds me that all Christians are in the same category; on our own, we fall short.
One example is the ‘duh’ category. Jesus gave a detailed explanation of what the future held regarding His death and resurrection, “But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” (Luke 18:34) Human understanding falls short.
Another example is that target of humility. It marks those whom God blesses, but the disciples missed it too.
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33–35)
Imagine their shock when the King of kings washed their dirty feet! (John 13). They were so full of themselves that they didn’t realize that pride was not a target.
They fell short in faith too. Jesus often said to them, “O men of little faith” and even after He rose from the dead, “ . . . He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.” (Mark 16:14)
They fell short on commitment too. Peter vowed he would not deny Jesus, but he did, and the others ran away when Jesus was arrested. All this failure needed more than ‘try harder’ which is the advice Christians often give to one another, but ‘trying harder’ fall short too. We need the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
The disciples fell short yet the NT tells how they turned the world upside-down with their powerful preaching and miracles. It wasn’t learning a new behavior that changed them; it was the Holy Spirit who moved in their lives as they realized their need to know God’s Word and His will. They prayed for power and the spiritual resources needed to hit the targets facing them.
Jesus, You still give that Holy Spirit power to Your people. Our problem is that we still try things in our own strength and need to confess that as sin. Then we must give self-effort a boot and ask Your Spirit to fill us. Without Him, falling short becomes a bad habit and a discouraging hindrance. You give the resources I need to overcome my weaknesses. Your words to Paul and to me are so true: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I need to respond as Paul did and find out that feeling weak is a good thing: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10) The sin of falling short isn’t about being inadequate; it is in trying harder instead of letting that weakness be my cue to call on You! The feeling of being weak may not go away, but Your power will come in and others will see You rather than my efforts.
TODAY: Rejoice that the targets are too far away — and pray to be filled, recognizing from Galatians 5:22-26 what God will give me so I can be adequate for whatever God puts before me.
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