Empty Yourself

Week 44, Wednesday

Dorothy Patterson

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8 (nkjv)

The pattern for godly traits is found in the life of Jesus, who humbled Himself to make atonement for our sins on the cross (see Philippians 2:5-8). From Jesus’ humble birth in a crude stable in the village of Bethlehem, He went against culture in following a path of servanthood to reach His exaltation. His followers were called to self-denial in order to offer themselves in service to others, putting their lives on the line (see Matthew 16:24). Humility comes from God; it is not something to add to your résumé! The Lord demonstrated this poverty of spirit as the suffering servant in Isaiah (see Isaiah 53:7). Even in His silence, the Lord expressed His humble spirit with eloquence.

In Jesus’ testing in the wilderness, Satan tried to get Him to abandon the “poverty of spirit” so perfectly exemplified in His own life (see Matthew 4:1-11). Satan asked Jesus to grasp His rights by turning stones into bread, an appeal to the physical appetite; by throwing Himself down from the top of the temple’s pinnacle, a call for a prideful display; and by seizing control of earthly kingdoms, an enticement to demonstrate His divine sonship according to the way of the world. Yet through all His trials, Jesus modeled extraordinary humility. He taught His disciples to possess the same spirit. His defense against the tempter came from Scripture (see Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:13,16). Jesus refused to compromise, choosing instead to follow the path of selflessness, servanthood, and suffering.

You, too, must experience the wilderness. A desert place is so dry that people can die from thirst. Spiritually, every woman makes her way through some deserts, those “wilderness experiences” in which she finds herself spiritually dry and slowly dying from lack of God’s guidance of her life. The loneliness she feels needs to manifest itself in a time of solitude before the Lord; her emptiness of heart and life make her a ready vessel for divine refueling! She is ready to enter a spiritual oasis in which she empties her own desires and expectations in order to receive the satisfying drink of His mercies and love (see Psalm 63:1-8).

Lord, let me make solitude my friend. In quietness before You, may I empty myself in order to receive You. Amen.