Emptiness: January 26, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 26, 2012.

EMPTINESS

DEFINITION:

Containing nothing; lacking in value; meaningless.

SCRIPTURE:

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. Luke 1:53

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6

Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it. Job 35:13.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We talk to so many people that have emptiness in their lives. They feel alone and many just feel rejected. The life style that many people live today initiates the emptiness that so many feel. Where there is no hope in life the natural opposite is an emptiness that seemingly cannot be filled.

But the Bible has an answer for those who want to get rid of their emptiness. In the verse above from Luke the writer refers to the ones that feel emptiness in their lives as being hungry. And if you are one that is hungry you are searching for righteousness. This verse assures us that if we come to God empty and searching for righteousness He will fill our lives with good things. He contrasts this with the rich that have everything and put their trust in “Things” instead of God.

The verse above from Ephesians reminds us that in this world we face many temptations and evil pressures. Paul refers to these as “empty words.” False teachers use empty words to deceive us and pull us away from the cross which is the truth of our salvation we were given by Jesus on the cross of Calvary. It is the cross alone that stops the wrath of God against sin in the lives of those who believe in Jesus.

In the Old Testament we read about Job (above) and all of the temptations and frustrations that God allowed him to go through to prove to Satan that he (Job) was a righteous man. In this verse Job was accused of being empty and vain in his belief. This accusation was false, of course, but is an example for us today. Satan daily is going to tempt us to make us think that our relationship with God is empty. When this happens how do you respond?

Emptiness is a tool that Satan uses with one who believes in God to cause us to doubt God when we face difficult situations in our lives. Put your total faith in the Lord, your Father, and he will turn your emptiness into a life full of joy and hope.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER:

My prayer is that You will not let anyone deceive me with empty words. Help me to live above the frustrations of everyday life, putting all of my trust and hope in You. Help me to lead my family through any emptiness that they may be facing in their lives.