Day 6: Filled with Hope and Power
Bible passage: Romans 15:13; Psalm 61:1–5; John 15:1–5
Nothing Left to Give
Today is Monday 6th of January 2020. Welcome to Day 6 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. For many of us the holidays are over and normal life starts again today. The to-do list is long, and the fast is beginning to bite.
Perhaps you know the feeling of having nothing left to give. You want to serve God and fulfil His purpose for you, but the tank is empty. Today’s passages are for you.
The God Who Fills
A Prayer for Empty People
Near the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul prays a blessing over them. He asks that God, the source of hope, will fill them completely with joy and peace because they trust in Him. And he tells them the result. They will “overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Look at the verbs. God fills, and we overflow. We are not the source. We are the container. Our part is to trust.
A Rock That Is Higher
David wrote Psalm 61 when his heart was overwhelmed. He cries to God from the ends of the earth and asks to be led to the towering rock of safety (Psalm 61:2). Then he remembers who God has been to him: a safe refuge and a fortress where his enemies cannot reach him (Psalm 61:3).
He also remembers that he has been given an inheritance that belongs to those who fear God’s name (Psalm 61:5). When strength runs out, we go back to who God is and to what He has already given.
Joined to the Vine
Jesus gives us the picture that explains it. He is the vine, His Father is the gardener and we are the branches. A branch cannot produce fruit by itself. It has to stay joined to the vine (John 15:4).
Two things follow from this. Purpose is not something we manufacture by effort. It grows out of staying close to Jesus. And the Father prunes fruitful branches so that they will bear more (John 15:2). Some of the tiredness we feel comes from carrying things that He never asked us to carry.
Power and Purpose
Filled for a Reason
God does not fill us with His Spirit so that we can feel better. He fills us so that we overflow to others. He has a purpose for every one of us, and He supplies the power to carry it out.
Three Steps for Today
Tell Him you are empty. God can only fill what is open and empty. Be honest about how tired you are.
Ask what to put down. Is there something in your life that is using up your strength and bearing no fruit? Ask the Father whether it needs pruning.
Trust, and receive. Read Romans 15:13 as a prayer for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy, peace and hope today.
Prayer for Today:
Father God, You are the source of hope. I come to You tired and in need. Fill me with joy and peace as I trust in You. Keep me joined to Jesus, the true vine. Prune away the things that drain me and bear no fruit. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so that I can live out the purpose You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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