God fills the empty (w)holes in our lives
He does not leave us to ourselves.
In Confessions, Augustine opens his chapters with a prayer: "Most High, You are wrathful yet remain tranquil; hidden yet intimately present ... Who are you God? Come into me. In filling all things, you fill them all with the whole of Yourself."
Your child has a headache.
You don't expect them to breathe their last breath.
I've watched it happen to a friend.
Your child's body grows frightening cold, massive heavy, present absent in your arms.
This mom knows what to do.
Run toward the God in Elisha. II Kings 4:20.
To Whom do I run when I'm empty?
When the servant takes notice of her frantic frenzy trot,
he inquires if she is all right, her husband, her child?
What would you say?
Would you scream at the top of your lungs?
My child is g.o.n.e. Empty Arms.
I'll never forget the mom's response:
"All is well." II Kings 4:26.
All is well that God does.
What! This mama must have heard that Elijah brought back life.
What about Elisha?
Will you work a work of faith with power? II Thes 1:11-12.
We all stand level empty at the foot of the Cross.
This humble widow who left her child in God's lap.
This proud Naaman in 5:15 who refused to be cured without a show.
This fellow traveler reading God's Word, reading my heart.
Where are you?
Do you want control or Grace?
Do you want answers or Goodness?
Do you want miracles or Mercy?
Do you really want to live empty lives or filled with God?
"God will not pass by an empty heart
without filling it with Himself."
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Father, Your Promises are Faithful.
You say in Psalm 132:15 that
You will bless us with abundant provision.
You will take care of the poor.
May we only fill our lives with You.
Not with demands or demonstrations.
Not with parades or pomp.
Bless us all, this day.
Fill our empty holes with Yourself.
OVERVIEW: II Kings 4-5
Image: Hiser, David, US National Archives, "Documerica," www.flickr.com/common
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ReplyDeleteGrace, goodness and Mercy, I want them all. Do I show them to others? Are these qualities they first in my heart?
DeleteJust when I am comforted by the presence, I receive burdens to pray for others. My brother,Rich is dealing with uncontrolled nose bleeds due to high blood pressure. It is very serious.
ReplyDeleteAlso, daughter April is heartbroken, boyfriend breakup, final exams this week. Please keep her in your prayers.
Praying for Juan. Praying for Boston.
Praying for the Pearls.
Praying for Rich and April.
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me today, Ahab repented, and it was a true repentance.
It came about when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about [l]despondently. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.”
There were consequences for his sins, but the Lord in His wisdom and mercy knew Ahab had truly humbled himself before the Lord.