When Empty is Full and Full is Empty

There is an empty in life that is of the greatest significance. It was handed down to us and we are so very full of it.[1]

There is a full in life that is of the greatest significance. In and of ourselves, we cannot enter into it, because we are so very empty.[2]

The one who introduced empty to us was so full of himself that he rebelled against God and was cast down.[3]

The One who brings full to us emptied Himself in obedience to God and was lifted up.[4]

Because the tomb was empty, full has been made possible.[5]

Had the tomb been full, empty would have prevailed.[6]

Hallelujah, He is risen, just as He said.[7]

[1] 1 Peter 1:18

[2] Col 2:10

[3] Isaiah 14:12-15

[4]Phil 2:7-10

[5] Rom 6:4

[6] 1 Cor 15:17

[7] Matt 28:5-6

Comments

Can't Get No Satisfaction

One of the songs that were popular in my youth was not particularly upbeat or helpful but it probably did express some of the angst of my generation. It was not one that particularly resonated with me but as I recently read the book of Haggai, it did come to mind, well, at least some of the lyrics did. It was the Rolling Stones song with the lyrics “I can’t get no satisfaction”. Take a look at the chorus of that bleak song: I can't get no satisfaction; I can't get no satisfaction; Gonna try and I try and I try and I try; I can't get no - I can't get no – Now take a look at Haggai 1:6 – “ You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” It sure sounds like the people of Judah couldn’t get any satisfaction with the things of life that normally should have brought some type of s...

Hide Not...

Over the centuries, the words have brought great comfort and encouragement. The words are often used as a benediction or a blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26) What in the world is a countenance? By definition, it is a person's face or facial expression. So if the Lord’s face shines upon us and if He lifts up His countenance upon us, what does all that mean? It means that He is giving us His attention. But even more so, His face shining upon us gives us t he picture of a beaming face like that of a parent for their beloved child. And the reference to Him lifting up His countenance points to God extending divine favor and peace to us. Sometimes we can appreciate things more by seeing opposites. The opposite of a lifted face is a face that has fallen, perhaps because of sham...

Stouthearted!

Steve the Stouthearted; it has a nice medieval ring to it, maybe even middle earth overtones. I noticed that word “stouthearted” recently in Psalm 138, verse 3: “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” (NIV, 1973) The word stouthearted is used in the Bible to describe individuals who exhibit courage, determination, and resilience, often in the face of adversity or opposition. This characteristic is seen as a virtue, reflecting steadfastness in faith and purpose. The stouthearted are those who remain firm in their convictions and are not easily swayed by fear or doubt (from The Bible Hub website). And yet to be bold and stouthearted for most is not something that just comes naturally, we need the Lord to make us bold and stouthearted. And, from the verse above, it appears that he does so in response to us calling on him. So it probably wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that those who have been made bold and stouth...

Musings From A Rolling Eyed Turtle

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