When We Are Empty

Matthew 9:17 (NIV)
Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 

‘It’s not a building you want to fill
It’s my heart
This empty space is what you wanted all along
…you love when I’m empty’

These lyrics from the song ‘Come again’ (Elevation Worship & Maverick City) get me every time! 

God loves when we are empty…this doesn’t mean he’s pleased when we are on our last penny or that he takes delight when we are crippled by the hurt of broken relationships.  Have you ever tried filling a car boot when its already full or (if you’re anything like me) restocking your wardrobe when its already filled to the brim with clothes? It’s not easy when there is no space!  

The Bible says we don’t pour new wine into old wineskins, it just won’t work. In the same way, we too have to empty: the problem is our wineskins or cups are already full of other things. God can work best when we are empty, that’s when He can fill us up. 

Sometimes we feel so weak, the challenges cripple us emotionally and physically to the point we have no strength or anything left to give. This is when God is at his strongest in us: according to 2 Corinthians 12:9 his power is made perfect in our weakness. Our weakness is actually a platform for God’s power to be shown. And it is then we are at our strongest.

In Genesis 1:2 we read the earth was ‘formless and empty’ and then God spoke and everything came into being. The earth was not just empty, his Spirit was ‘hovering over the waters’. Grasp hold of the truth that when you feel empty, he is with you and about to show his power at work in you. 

Prayer- Father thank you that when I’m weak, you are strong. God, teach me to rely on your strength.  I let go of anything that I rely on which isn’t you, so you can fill me up anew.