Jesus was not exaggerating when He said, "Apart from Me you can do NOTHING". Every person, whether or not he acknowledges the Lord Jesus, is standing on His grace – and the Lord can pull the rug out from underneath whenever He wills (see e.g. Daniel 4).

People of the world ride the roller coaster of self-esteem.  When they succeed, they ride high on top of the world; but when they fail, they fall precipitously into depression and self-recrimination.

Those who hide their hearts in Christ learn from Him the secret of zero self-esteem.  They know that in themselves they can do NOTHING.  They do not ride the roller coaster, for they have handed their tickets over to the Lord.  They give Him the credit for their successes (Psalm 115:1); and He takes upon Himself  the blame for their failures (Colossians 2:14) .

Some paralytics are completely helpless by themselves, and constantly require constant attendance.  When I truly recognize that I can truly do NOTHING without Jesus, then I see that I am a spiritual paralytic.  I need Him to be my unfailing  attendant.  I must rely on Him to get out of bed, to dress, to prepare and eat my food.  When I go out to work or play, He must show me where to go, what to say, and what to do.   Even in the  simplest things  I appeal to Him in prayer, whether implicitly or explicitly.

However, most often we do  not depend on Him that heavily.  We go through our lives largely unconscious of Him. Rather than calling out to the Lord , we prefer to rely upon our own ideas and impulses.  We feel silly  praying about little things like what socks to wear, or what to have for dinner.  But is  it any less silly to worry about these things?  Or is it better to simply do what “seems” right and try to forget that my  smallest  thoughtless actions could have awful consequences?

Those who do pray over life’s little details appear in the world's eyes as contemptibly weak, or even neurotic.   Those who are “weak” in this way do not mind being thus labeled, for they know that when they are weak, then He is strong in them (2 Cor. 12:10).

Prayer: Lord, I am a spiritual paralytic. Though supposing myself strong, in truth I am pitifully weak and ineffective.    Though supposing myself to have insight, really I am woefully blind.   Lord,  I need you to be my constant attendant.  You must be the strength of my heart (Psalm 73:26), the strength of my hands (Psalm 144:1), the strength of my life (Psalm 27:1), the strength of my salvation (Psalm 140:7).  Apart from you, there is NO good in me,  I am a reeking cesspool of sin (Romans 7:18).  Lord Jesus I appeal to You, cast Your Cross into my polluted heart, and make it fresh.  Thank You for Your Word which guarantees Your faithfulness, and that  You WILL do it (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

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