Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Hebrews 5:7, “Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son.”

Background

Leading up to my vacation, I had this recurring thought that upon my return, things would be different. I toyed with visions of spiritual revival and refreshment, of devotional ideas abounding and plentiful. I wondered where God would show His hand, how He would amaze and astound me. I expected Him to use the big and the small to remind me how big He is and how small I am. I hoped for deeper fellowship and a closer walk with Jesus. And I wanted to hit a home run. Taking two weeks off from writing devotions, I really wanted to deliver a super message when I began again, one that would project the power and depth that a two week sabbatical might produce. But things don’t always go as you would like.

Application

Specifically, I’m not about to be named as God’s right-hand man. Dozens of devotional points weren’t illuminated for me in the everyday situations and unique surroundings of a week at Disney and spending 1,900 miles in a van. God did provide and deliver us in many ways, and I’m sure upon further reflection that I’ll see more of Him than I saw before. But He didn’t lay out for me the homerun to share for today. Even as I read and meditated over today’s verse, trying to grasp the relationship that Jesus shared with His Father where He would vehemently cry and sob, I still didn’t get the homerun. As I realized that God heard Jesus simply because of His reverence for the Father, even above His Sonship, I still grasped. But then, I saw the emptying of Christ that made Him obedient to the Father, and I realized that my homerun wasn’t going to be in impressing anyone with a stellar devotion of profound poignancy. My homerun would come in the emptying of myself and the filling of sincere reverence for the One who has saved me from infinite death. My homerun was meant just for me, much like this devotion may be (and for that, I apologize). But the emptying and the reverence and the saving is there for all. And for that, no apology is necessary.

Charge

As we seek Him today, aim to revere Him more who sent His Son to earth. Aim to empty yourself for the One who can fill you up.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words