There was once this city called Nineveh.  The inhabitants of the city were sinning greatly against God.  Their sins were so great that God decided to destroy them.  God sent His prophet Jonah to warn the people that in 40 days Nineveh would be destroyed.  However, the people of Nineveh repented and called urgently on God.  The people feared God and kept His commandments.

In the news recently, there were images of deadly floods in several nations.  People and cars were being washed away by strong currents in the water.  It was a painful sight to see many people being washed away and nothing could be done to save them.  There was nothing for them to hold onto while they were being washed away to their deaths in the raging waters.  How sad there was no one to deliver.  

One night a Pharisee named Nicodemus visited Jesus.  Now a Pharisee back then was a Jewish religious leader. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect who adhered to the law and its traditions and believed in the Coming Messiah.  Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night time, because he didn't want the other Pharisees to see him.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, "I can tell that you are a man come from God because of all the miracles that you are doing, healing the sick, casting out demons, turning water into wine, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, etc.  How can I enter the Kingdom of God, the spiritual realm where God rules and reigns?"

In order to run our race and endure to the end, we must rely on God's strength.  We do not have the grace or the strength to faithfully serve God on our own.  We have to rely on the supernatural, limitless strength of the Lord that resides in us.