Emptiness: February 17, 2014

Today's Word for Monday February 17, 2014

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.

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19.

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. They have very few friends and very little to talk about. 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.

We received an email several days ago from a friend who reads our devotionals daily. This person asked what needed to be done for their family to feel wanted. This person went on to share with us that they had very few friends, even their children wanted friends. After exchanging several emails where we encouraged them to read the Bible and pray together daily asking God to send people to them.

They soon wrote and said that people began to come to them asking for guidance. These were people they knew but had never developed a relationship with God. God will hear our prayers and he will fill the emptiness in our lives if we communicate with Him.

Recently a friend of two of our grandsons moved to a very large home on a hilltop with a panoramic view. It had a large pool and a nice playroom with seemingly everything a child might want. When our grandsons said to him that he must feel fortunate to have such a great home, the boy responded by saying he did not like living there because it was too far from his friends. Yes, even children who have everything can feel empty.

Justin Bieber was still just a child in his early teens when he became a pop-star sensation. By the age of 15 he was one of the biggest names in the music industry and was at the top of the list of richest teen stars. He has fame and fortune. He can buy anything he wants. In spite of his great success it is apparent there is emptiness within. He is now only 19 and has had several run-ins with the law. He has been arrested for reckless driving, for suspected DUI and for drug possession.

When a life is empty it is an opportunity for Satan to move in with his evil temptations. Unfortunately, teen-age stars like Justin Bieber become idols for children. Parents today have to make themselves aware of who their children look up to and idolize.

Alcohol and drugs will not fill the emptiness in a child's life or an adult's. If Justin Bieber continues on the path he is on he is headed for destruction. Satan loves to see others follow him on that path. It is vitally important that Christian parents pray faithfully for their children and teach them to know and love God.

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 those 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" and feel no need for God. Those who see that they need God and are fully devoted to Him will experience the fullness of God in their lives.

We will know His love and His majesty, His wisdom and His mercy and we will feel His power at work in our lives. When we surrender ourselves completely to God, the fullness of God fills our emptiness completely. When God fills us He fills us not with just good things, but the best things and they are abundantly satisfying. 

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 making 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 babies, 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 or anything 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.