Today’s exhortation – empty us Lord
I have often wondered why God let Joseph go to prison. Why did He let all this trouble come upon an innocent man? Indeed we all wonder, why do the wicked flourish and the righteous suffer? I believe it’s because it’s the only way we get to know Him and see our absolute need of Him. I have also concluded that Joseph had to be emptied of himself so that God could fill him with Himself. David was afflicted too though he was innocent and he said, “The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalms 119:69,71).
Indeed, “For the LORD corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.” (Proverbs 3:12). Every day Joseph spent in prison and suffered injustice brought him to a place of complete emptiness so that God could fill him with His Spirit. I believe when this was done, his promotion came. When Pharaoh sought for a man to put in charge of saving Egypt, the bible says “And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”” (Genesis 41:38). Father, please bring us to the end of ourselves and empty us so that we can be completely filled with Your Spirt. Amen!
Francis Hans-Jorie
