Empty handed leads to Fullness from God Part 1
Rom 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out
his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has
given us." NIV
Have you ever wondered why thousands upon thousands of
people are healed through the power of God's Spirit during
outreach crusades in Third World countries, while only
hundreds (sometimes even less) are healed during similar
crusades in the Western world? Why the difference?
When I bought this up in prayer to my Forever friend, His
answer surprised me: "The difference between the two groups
is that the second group does not come to me empty handed.
Their hands are so full, that I cannot bless them!"
Is this why I can't seem to find one story about Jesus
healing a Pharisee in the Bible? Their hands, too, were
quite full -- Luke 18:11-12: "The Pharisee stood up and
prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like
other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this
tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I
get.'" NIV
We can't be fully blessed if we are not empty handed! Corrie
ten Boom illustrated this powerfully when she narrated her
encounter with a former SS officer who had been quite cruel
towards her sister Betsy who died at Ravensbruck
concentration camp. When he approached her after the war and
asked her forgiveness, she wanted to spit in his face, as
deep down she was disgusted by what he used to do. However,
instead she cried out to the Lord and claimed the promises
of Rom 5:5. God's love filled her up and she reached out to
that former soldier, embraced him, and forgave him in the
faith. Humanly, this was impossible. But it was possible in
Corrie's life because she always approached her loving
Heavenly Father empty handed. When we come empty, God can
fill us up with His presents from above.
Just last Sunday I experienced the power of the promises
from Rom 5:5. After supper my family and I were heading for
worship, when all of a sudden I noticed that Donovan's bird
named Mexico, had something wrong with his head. After
further investigation, my youngest son confessed he had
accidentally stepped on him an hour earlier. He hadn't told
us, but apparently he had told his brother. My reaction to
this event will be examined a bit closer next week, as God
had wonderful messages to teach me and anyone else in
similar situations like mine.
But back to Mexico, Donovan's bird. He didn't look too good,
and there didn't seem to be anything that could be done
about it, as the vets were all closed for the night in our
region. There was nothing left to do but lift him up in
prayer.
However, after we prayed for the bird, I still felt uneasy.
I poured out my heart to God and asked for His guidance.
Empty handedly, I approached my Heavenly Father and He
opened His doors from Heaven. He encouraged me to open my
Bible to the text I was going to study that night. The text
was Romans 5! When I read verse 3 to 5 in the Message
version, God spoke loudly out to me. The text says:
Rom 5:3-5 "We continue to shout our praise even when we're
hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can
develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in
turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert
for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as
this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the
contrary — we can't round up enough containers to hold
everything God generously pours into our lives through the
Holy Spirit!" (THE MESSAGE)
Wow! I felt compelled to share this powerful text with my
children. As we were pouring over this text, we felt joy
filling us up and we started to praise the Lord and sing
praises to the Lord. We thanked God for giving us the
opportunity to go through the experience of this trial, and
we patiently waited for what He was going to do next.
Donovan spent the rest of the evening singing songs of
praise over and over again. Even when I went to tuck him in
bed, he was still singing to the glory of the Lord.
Can you guess what happened next? Does God send anyone away
who comes empty handed to Him? Nowhere in the Bible did
Jesus turn someone away who came empty handed. The
impossible became possible. Mexico survived and was doing
better the next morning! Praise be to God!
We brought Mexico to the Vet the next day. The vet's words
about the situation were as follows: "That bird is LUCKY to
be alive!" Well, we all know that luck had NOTHING to do
with it! Thank you Lord! Isn't God awesome?!
My friend, how do you approach your Father in heaven? Are
your hands so full that God cannot bless you? Drop those
things. They are temporary anyway. Come to Him empty handed
and praise Him for always coming through even when you are in
your worst troubles. Patiently wait for Him and stay alert
for what He is going to do next. You won't have enough
containers to hold everything He will pour into your life
through His Spirit.
No problem is too difficult.
Do you have a problem with unforgiveness? Claim Rom 5:5.
Do you have a problem with getting along with others? Maybe
even your spouse? Claim Rom 5:5.
Come to Jesus, trusting and praising Him. He will give you
rest over your life's storms!
John 3:30-31 "He must increase, but I must decrease." NKJV
Rob Chaffart