Thursday Night Football showcased two 0-3 teams as the Denver Broncos and New York Jets faced off. It wasn’t a pretty game filled with superstars, but it was surprisingly a higher scoring game than we might have expected with the Broncos pulling it out 37-28.

The story of this game was about two teams fighting for their first win without key starters and being forced to rely on multiple backups to step up.

The Denver Broncos were without starting quarterback Drew Lock, effective running back Phillip Lindsay, defensive standout Von Miller, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

Meanwhile, the Jets were missing Le’Veon Bell, Denzel Mims, and Breshard Perriman before the game, and then saw left tackle Chuma Edoga, cornerback Bless Austin, and wide receiver Lawrence Cager exit with injuries.

Jamison Crowder played at less than 100% with a hamstring injury, and quarterback Sam Darnold got banged up and missed some game action, but was able to return to the field.

Needless to say, it’s been a rough year for the Jets as the injuries and the losses keep piling up. I think analyst, Troy Aikman, summed it up best toward the end of the telecast last night when he said, “You know, this is a depleted team…in every way.”

My guess is that many of us know what it’s like to be depleted – especially with the way 2020 has been going. How many of us are feeling like we’re at less than full strength? Can we admit to being weak, banged up, worn down, burned out, and just not at our best?

It’s a tough spot to be in when the hits keep on coming, leaving us feeling depleted, but when we look at the Bible we can always find hope. Just like last night’s teams weren’t at full strength and depended on others to step up and fill in the gaps, we must also rely on someone else.

Thankfully, when we need to be replenished, strength and power are available to us as we seek God and trust Him to provide. Isaiah 40:29 (AMP) says, “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV) tells us to “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!”

Psalm 73:26 (AMP) declares, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

We know it’s hard to operate at less than full strength and there’s no way we can muster up enough strength on our own. It’s important we recognize when we are depleted and admit our weakness, but instead of remaining stuck that way, we can find our refreshment in the Lord.

So today, let’s rest in Jesus and depend on His everlasting power. As the Bible says, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might” (Ephesians 6:10 – AMP).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me strength when I am weak. Please help me to fully rely on You when I feel depleted, instead of trying to operate in my own strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.