When I first started to drive, my dad kept telling me it was always a good idea to pull into a gas station when the tank got down to one-quarter full. His theory was simple: If you fill up with a quarter-of-a-tank of gas still remaining, you will never run out of fuel on some lonely stretch of road. I followed much of my father’s advice over the years . . . but not this piece of advice, however, and sure enough, I did run out of gas once. Today, as soon as I see the “low fuel” light come on, I head right for the station.
All of us feel like we’re running on empty at times. Our fuel supply is low, but the distance to travel is long. As God’s Word tells us, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41 NASB). And keep in mind that our Lord said this to His disciples on the night He was betrayed. Jesus had asked the disciples to watch and pray while He went into the “garden of suffering” to pray to His Father, and they dozed off during His hour of deep need. Peter had asserted that He would die with His Lord, but he couldn’t even stay awake for one hour!
Where do we go to fill our spiritual tank? We go to the only true power source in the universe that can fill us to overflowing!
Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11)
Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand? (Job 26:14)
Regardless of where this message finds you today — running on a full tank, three-quarters, one-half, one quarter, running on fumes, or actually out of gas and needing a push to get to the gas station to refuel — here are two steps you can take to fill your tank back up.
Step #1. Acknowledge God as your only power source.
Now, I know we all say this is our truth, but functionally, we turn to things smaller than God to find the power we need. Some look for it in their work. Others in a relationship. Still others in the applause of man. The list is endless. So have you acknowledged God as your only true power source today?
Step #2. Believe God for the seemingly impossible.
The power in you is greater than any power that can come against you, which means you should erase the word “impossible” from your dictionary. With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The same God who sent manna from heaven, brought water from a rock, and turned five loaves and two fish into a meal for thousands, is ready, willing, and more than able to meet you in your place of deepest need.
Have you been running on empty lately? Perhaps you’ve been trying to fill up at the wrong pump? To keep from running on empty, keep running to the Everlasting One, and you will have everything you need to do everything He has called you to do. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!
Grace for the Race 