The Emptied Life That is Filled
As a sponge must be emptied before it can be filled, so God empties us of self that we may be filled with His fullness.
Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling compiled by Nick Harrison
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Today’s devotional from Nick Harrison reminds us that true power before others only comes from first being filled with God. Edward Dennett warns that one of the greatest mistakes we can make is to try to impress people or seek influence apart from the presence of God. Without His indwelling fullness, we are left with only self-confidence, which quickly becomes a barrier to peace and joy.
The anonymous author expands on this, pointing out that God cannot share His house with the creature. Self-reliance, pride, or natural strength shut us off from the blessing of being filled with Him. Jacob is given as the example. The Lord touched the hollow of his thigh so that Jacob would learn to lean not on himself, but on God. In that weakness, he found true strength.
This teaching brings us back to the reality of the abiding life. The Holy Spirit fills only what is empty. If we are already filled with our own confidence, we leave no room for His. Yet when God empties us, it is never to leave us barren, but to fill us with Himself. Childlike dependence becomes the doorway to experiencing His fullness.
As Nick Harrison’s His Victorious Indwelling collection reminds us, this emptying is not punishment but grace. God empties us that we may cling to Him alone, and in doing so, we discover our only true place of strength, victory, and rest.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, I have not called you to live from your own strength, for self-confidence robs you of the joy of My fullness. I desire to fill you completely, yet I cannot pour into a heart already full of its own reliance. That is why I lovingly empty you of false securities, so that you may rest in Me.
When you find yourself humbled, remember that it is My mercy at work. I emptied Jacob of his strength so that he might lean upon Me, and I do the same for you. It is not to harm you, but to teach you that in your weakness, My strength is revealed.
Do not fear emptiness. It is the prelude to fullness. Do not cling to self, for self cannot sustain you. I am your life, your power, and your confidence. As you yield to Me, I will fill you with My presence, and your life will display My victory.
Scripture References: Acts 4:31, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Genesis 32:24-31, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 2:9-10, Ephesians 3:16-19, Romans 6:4-11, John 15:5, Galatians 2:20.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a sponge filled with dirty water. It looks full, but what it contains is of no use. Only when it is squeezed and emptied can it soak up fresh, clean water. In the same way, our self-confidence is like the dirty water that must be pressed out before God can fill us with His Spirit.
Today, when I find myself clinging to my own resources, I can say, “Lord, I trust You to live through me in this moment, not by my own strength, but by Your fullness within me.”
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that You have emptied me of my self-confidence so that I may be filled with You. I rejoice that in my weakness, Your strength is revealed, and in my emptiness, Your fullness overflows. I rest in the truth that my only place of power, victory, and peace is found in You alone.