Empty
As my current Bible Study is working through the historical books of the Old Testament, my eyes are being opened on so many levels. The faithfulness of God. The cycle of disobedience from His people.The continual mercy and grace He gives. I’ve read the book of Judges before, but, this time one thing really stood out – – God does His best work with empty.
Empty.
Dictionary synonyms for “empty“ include drained, depleted, dry, vacant, uninhabited, and desolate.
Empty jars in Gideon’s battle allowed all to be free to show who really won the battle – God.
Empty strength, when Samson’s hair was cut, pointed everyone to the true source of Samson’s strength – God.
Emptiness made way for the miracles of God.
Have the last eleven months left you empty, drained, and dry?
It is okay to be honest with the answer to that question, dear Sister. But the emptiness we feel at times in this world can lead to freedom and it releases you to be used by God. The book of Judges shows us over and over and over again how God can use emptiness to turn us back to Him and for Him to be glorified. God’s people turned away from Him repeatedly. They became emptied by following the ways of the world, then they finally looked up and turned to the LORD in prayer. How did God respond to their cries and their prayers?
He sent a savior to bring them back to Him and give them freedom to rest.
Read that again. He sent a savior to bring them back to Him and give them the freedom to rest.
The judges were leaders who brought about temporary rest but ultimately they pointed to the Savior who brings eternal and lasting rest for His people.
Now that is a promise to cling to! Eternal rest. Being face to face with our Savior. No more emptiness. No more striving for more. Total and complete rest and fullness for eternity.
Turn to Him and seek Him in your seasons of feeling empty. And be ready for how He will use you just as He used Gideon’s empty jars to bring about a miraculous victory.
God does not waste the dry seasons or wilderness periods in our faith journey. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, so be ready. Be ready for your experiences over the past eleven months to be a means by which you can be a vessel used for the miracles of God.
Are you excited to see how He will use this season for a Kingdom purpose?
I am!
Holy Spirit, fill our areas of emptiness with You always. Ease the pain of this season that has left many feeling alone, isolated and depleted. When the ways of this world try to draw us away from Truth, convict us quickly to return to Your Word and renew our minds with the knowledge and love of You. We are not made for this world and we yearn to be in complete rest with You. Each day that we are on this side of Eternity, guide us to be a light in the world and draw others to You through our witness. You are our hope, our Savior and where we find our rest. Use us, Holy Spirit, in mighty ways for Kingdom building purposes! Show us Your glory and the daily miracles all around us. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
