Empty Nothings

Who declares his way to his face, and who repays him for what he has done? When he is carried to the grave, watch is kept over his tomb. The clods of the valley are sweet to him; all mankind follows after him, and those who go before him are innumerable. How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood.
Job 21:31–34
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Empty Nothings
Job ends his response to his friends simply and matter-of-factly, by stating that their comfort is on comfort at all, but empty nothings.  Empty platitudes and insincere words are often all the world has to offer.  They offer this because they know nothing else.  There is no hope in the things of this world, there is no solace in the empty words of the faithless.  Thanks be to God that we do not have to rely on those things.  We have the Words of eternal life, given to us by God Himself for us to believe.  The Holy Spirit given faith guides us to the promises of Christ and shows us their fulfillment.  Our hope is not built on the shaken foundation of this world, but on the solid footing of Christ Himself.  God’s Word is not hollow and does not return empty.  We see the cross and know the truth, our sins have been paid for.  We receive the body and blood, in, with, and under the bread and wine at the altar and taste forgiveness.  We stand not empty vessels, but pots shaped by the Master’s hands overflowing with His love and forgiveness. Even the empty tomb is filled with the victory over sin, death, and the devil. God’s blessings are in abundance, the good wine is brought out at the banquet and we feast together in the house of the Lord forever, fully satisfied in Christ never empty.