THE SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS

One man that was so in tune with God to the extent that when he went off track, he quickly retraced his step by asking God for mercy was the friend of God, David. When he went off track and felt spiritually empty as it were, he wrote Psalm 51. Let us look at it together:

1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

5 For I was born a sinner- yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

6 But you desire honesty from the womb , teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice.

9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

11 do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.

14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.

16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit – with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

Have you ever felt spiritually empty? You know in your heart that you are no more in tune and it is just mere religion that you are portraying? I have felt that way. Like David, its best to quickly get back on track and ask for God’s mercy. A second away from God’s mercy makes one a cheap prey for the devil, he will capitalize on it and make a feast of it.

The year is far spent, most of us didn’t attain the spiritual growth we had planned or envisaged we would because along the line we became empty spiritually. It’s not too early neither is it too late to get back on track. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us put ourselves in check and quickly know when we have strayed. Please don’t condemn yourself any further, embrace God’s mercy today and let the Holy Spirit fill you afresh.

I join my faith with yours, that you will not be spiritually stagnant henceforth, all forms of spiritual emptiness, God’s mercy will be made available for us all. God’s grace is made perfect in our weaknesses. Pick up the pieces and forge ahead. God bless you sisters. I Pray that Lord, help will us to always keep ourselves in check and not stray from following Him. It's only by God’s grace and help of the Holy Spirit we can make it.

By Onome Oyedokun