47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48a And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. (Mark 6:47-48a)

This all occurred deep into the night. The crowds had been fed in the early evening, but now, in the complete dark on the water, the disciples struggled. I love Mark's phrase: They were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them (48).

Other translations are helpful here:

• They were straining at the oars. (NASB, NIV)
• They were being battered as they rowed. (HCSB)
• They were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind. (NLT)

Perhaps you've had a similar experience. You've read something in the Bible, an area to obey, and set out to do it. Good work. But, perhaps just as quickly, you discovered how hard it was to obey. You want to use your tongue for good. You want to be generous and service-oriented. You want to pray. You want to be pure. But you've strained and struggled you've felt battered in your quest to obey.

Having taken the first step, we will often learn it is easier said than done. But the disciples were like us—they needed to learn how hard obedience would be if they only relied on their own strength. Once Jesus got into the boat, they would arrive at their destination. His power and might would enable them to obey. But, until the point the power of Christ intersected their own will, they would be powerless. In the years to come, in the days of the book of Acts, their obedience would be crucial, but also insufficient unless the Spirit empowered them.

In the same way, we need the Spirit's ability and must learn how hard obedience is with only our strength. We need God. We need his ability to mix with our faith. Only he can produce the beautiful fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control in us (Galatians 5:22).

Abraham and Sarah

I likely don't need to say much more on this point. All of us are familiar with straining to do God's will, struggling to obey. But before moving on, let me hold up the Old Testament characters of Abraham and Sarah. God told them they would have a son through whom God would unfold his plans. The years ticked by, and no human power or ingenuity or plan could produce the child. It felt like it was impossible. They were far too old. Their strength was gone.

But God reaffirmed his promise. And God asked a wonderful question: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). Though obedience feels impossible with only your strength, God is able to help you obey, for nothing is too hard for him!

So, in our struggle for obedience, we must learn how hard it is with only our strength. Next week, we will consider another step.