The Greatest Insufficiency | Thursday
Devotional
We’ve talked about insufficient resources and insufficient provision, but there’s one insufficiency that towers above all others: our inability to satisfy God’s requirements for righteousness. You and I will never be able to make ourselves righteous. We can’t earn our way to God, can’t work hard enough, can’t be good enough.
This is the greatest insufficiency we face, and it’s the one that matters most. All our other lacks pale in comparison to this fundamental problem: we fall short of God’s perfect standard, and there’s nothing we can do about it on our own.
But here’s where the miracle of Christmas comes in. This is why Jesus came. This is why we say Emmanuel, God with us. He had to dwell among humanity so that He could live the perfect life we couldn’t live. He faced every temptation we face but never sinned. He fulfilled every requirement of God’s law that we break daily.
Jesus didn’t just live perfectly—He died in our place, taking the punishment we deserved. He was buried in a tomb for three days, but on the third day, He was resurrected, proving that He is ultimately sufficient for the atonement of all our sins, that He satisfied the wrath of God completely.
Your greatest need isn’t more money, better health, or stronger relationships. Your greatest need is righteousness, and Jesus provides exactly that. He takes your spiritual insufficiency and covers it with His perfect sufficiency.
Bible Verse
‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ – John 10:10
Reflection Question
How does understanding your spiritual insufficiency change the way you view your need for Jesus in your daily life?
Quote
The greatest, the greatest insufficiency that you and I have is our inability to satisfy the requirement of the law. Like you and I, we will never be able to make ourselves righteous.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my complete inability to make myself righteous before God. Thank You for living the perfect life I couldn’t live and dying the death I deserved. Cover my insufficiency with Your perfect sufficiency. Amen.