by Desiree Bustamante

There’s no empty chaos in the arms of Jesus.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

Empty shelves in our grocery stores. Empty pantries and refrigerators. Bank accounts nearing empty. Maybe you feel empty inside, lonely because you are isolated or somewhere you don’t feel safe. Maybe spending all this time without a comforting routine or other people to focus on has stirred up a past sin that haunts you, shame you haven’t dealt with or a relationship you haven’t mended. Perhaps you feel a little hopeless about your future. It’s normal to feel these emotions when you feel out of control in this chaotic world. Satan wants to see you defeated and useless.

You can overcome these destructive thoughts—but not by yourself.

   “For the Lord is God,
 and he created the heavens and earth
    and put everything in place.
He made the world to be lived in,
    not to be a place of empty chaos.
‘I am the Lord,’ he says,
    ‘and there is no other.
I publicly proclaim bold promises.
    I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.
I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me
    if I could not be found.
I, the Lord, speak only what is true
    and declare only what is right.’”
Isaiah 45:18-19 New Living Translation

We celebrated Easter a little over a week ago. That was no empty celebration. Jesus died for you. He knew pain. He knew suffering. He knew betrayal. He understands everything you are feeling. He bore every burden and felt every hope you carry within your heart and soul.

The promises the Lord made to Israel still stand today and forever. He doesn’t whisper obscurities in some dark corner. He publicly declares His promises to us boldly and He will keep them! He doesn’t want your world to be filled with empty chaos, only His love, strength and healing power.

The hope of Easter is for you. You can trust a God who redeemed you with the very life of His Son, who rose again and conquered Satan. Run from that vacant tomb into the arms of a loving Savior whose love for you will never run empty. The joy of the empty tomb is not over. It’s never over!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado