Empty Handed
Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. (Genesis 37:26–28, NLT)
Empty: containing nothing; not filled or occupied.
Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave with nothing. His brothers had sold him out of hatred and jealousy. Yet God had a plan for Joseph—one neither he nor his family could see. Though they had no idea, Joseph was already destined to become second in command to Pharaoh. God had ordained his path, and nothing could stop it.
Joseph entered Egypt empty-handed, but in time he became one of the wealthiest men in the land. The remarkable thing is that Joseph had no formal education, no worldly qualifications, and nothing in his possession that could have placed him in that position. On his own, he could never have achieved it.
God had already revealed Joseph’s destiny through a dream—that his family would one day bow before him. What God required from Joseph was not resources, skills, or knowledge, but a surrendered heart and obedience. In the same way, God asks us to trust Him, even when we feel unequipped or empty. He doesn’t need our help—He needs our willingness. Emptiness is the place where God can fill us, and a humble, obedient heart is the vessel He chooses to use.
I remember when God first told me to begin recording messages and posting them on YouTube. I was nervous and unsure. I prayed, “God, I don’t know where to start or how to do what I’m hearing in my spirit.” But when I said yes, He guided me step by step. My hands, my mind, and my understanding of the social media world were completely bare. That emptiness created room for God to fill me with His wisdom and direction.
About a week after posting my first video, God connected me with a dear friend who gave me a list of practical instructions to follow—and I did. This experience reminded me that when we say yes to God with nothing, that’s exactly where He wants us to be. He will do the filling. Like Joseph, we can “yes” our way into the abundant life God has prepared for us.
Key Takeaways
God loves to fill the empty space.
Your “yes” gives God permission to use you.
He only requires your obedience—not what you think you have.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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