Empty!

Christian Devotional by Pastor Cecil Thompson

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

A visiting minister had just preached a dynamic message on being totally committed to God and empty of self. Following the message, as people came by to speak with him, a woman approached him and said, “Reverend _____, please pray that God will make me nothing.”

Being a courageous and faithful servant, he looked her straight in the eye and replied, “Madam, take it by faith, you are nothing!” Her reaction revealed that she did not take well to his suggestion!

I can understand what he was saying. It was not to put her down, but rather to show that without Christ we are indeed nothing.

Does that end the matter? Absolutely not! As a matter of fact it is just the start. When our pride and self-sufficiency get out of the way, Christ is able to do His work in and through us.

I once heard Major Ian Thomas relate his own experience in this area. He was a young man who had received Jesus as his personal Savior. He wanted to please the Lord, so he worked and worked, doing everything he could for the Lord.

One Sunday evening he had finished assisting in a week-long series of meetings. Following the last service he had packed up books, Bibles and other materials until late into the night.

When he returned to his hotel room he was exhausted. He threw himself across the bed and almost wept. He cried out, “Lord, I am through! I can’t keep this up any longer. I am tired to my very core. I will still love and honor you, but from now on someone else will have to carry the load.”

He expected the Lord to be disappointed in him for quitting. Just the opposite happened. It was as though the Lord had breathed into his ear, “Finally! You have been doing things for Me that I never asked you to do. Now I can work through you to do My work.”

Major Thomas went on to be a worthy servant of the Lord Jesus Christ around the world. He never again felt that heavy load he had turned over to the Lord when he was a young man. He simply listened to the Lord and obeyed. He has gone to be with the Lord now and I can imagine the welcome he received, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Are you wearing yourself out trying to please the Lord? I implore you to give up trying to earn your salvation. Listen to Him—then do what He asks you to do. God’s work—done God’s way—will have God’s power!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!

— Pastor Cecil

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