Emptiness & Fullness
In The Wilderness
Lenten Devotional Scripture Reading 2025
Lenten Reflection: "Emptiness to Fullness”
“Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:51-52, NIV)
In the last newsletter, I shared that I was trying to remember everyone’s name across the three churches and their communities since last September. Alongside this challenge, I also encouraged us to recognise the different names of God and Jesus in the Bible as self-challenges.
This time, on the contrary, I would like to invite us to reflect on the idea of “forgetting” as part of our Lenten journey. Joseph’s life was marked by suffering — betrayal by his own brothers, false accusations, years of imprisonment and immigration from his homeland. When he was finally re-confronted with his brothers, who sought food during a famine in Egypt, they did not recognise their brother, whom they had buried in the pit and sold. Joseph also chose to keep his identity hidden, bearing the heavy weight of anger, resentment, and past wounds towards his brothers. It was in the midst of his dealing with his past painful memories, he named his first son Manasseh, reveals the grace of God, who helped him forget the pain of his past and the hardship inflicted by those closest to him.
Recently, I was reminded of this story when speaking with a man, called, ‘N’, who endured a deeply challenging childhood marked by rejection, abandonment, and anger. (Thank you to him who allowed me to share his story) After many years, last week, he got a contact that his mother had not many days left to live. Though it was difficult, he decided to see her to speak one word. He managed to hold her hand — for the first time he could ever remember — and spoke the words he prepared (and practised on the car journey), “I forgive you.” The following day, she passed away.
N, not yet a believer, testified that (it must be) God or the Holy Spirit gave him the strength to forgive and released him from the heavy burden he had carried for so long. His face radiated with joy and freedom than ever in my impression — a visible sign that the cloud of pain had been lifted. Praise the Lord!
As we enter this Lenten season, I have prepared a 40-day Lenten Devotional Scripture Reading with the theme “Emptiness & Fullness in the Wilderness.” The wilderness, where Jesus was tested before beginning His public ministry, is often a place of trial and hardship.
Likewise, many of us experience seasons of suffering, loneliness, and despair — a wilderness of our own. Yet, it is also true that our wilderness often turns into a blessing with God’s grace from our experiences. Joseph’s second son, Ephraim, reminds us that God can bring fruitfulness even while suffering. N’s testimony echoes this truth — what seemed like a barren place became a source of profound joy and healing.
Where do you find yourself standing just now? Are you in pleasant and satisfied places, in a wilderness season, or both? If you think you are in the wilderness, I would like to remind you of the blessing of ‘forgetting’ by His grace. May you trust that God is working even in your suffering — preparing to bring forth fruit in His perfect time during this Lent. Amen.
Lenten Reflection: "Emptiness to Fullness”
This year, I'd like to introduce you to the theme of our spiritual journey during Lent, "Emptiness and Fullness in the Wilderness"—acknowledging our need, surrendering to God, and finding a divine fullness in Him through our everyday wilderness experiences. The Scripture gives examples of many who experienced deep emptiness for various reasons. Some groaned in pain, felt bitter, and were broken, while others saw it as a blessing, leading them to willingly empty themselves after encountering the Lord’s fullness. Jesus also emptied Himself, embracing suffering and death for our sins, yet He lives! I believe the same is true for those who live in Him. Amen
How To Use
Here are 40 Scripture passages that explore emptiness (hunger, thirst, testing, trial, dissatisfaction, loneliness, and despair) and fullness of God (provision, renewal, restoration, redemption, resurrection, and hope). Taste the Scripture daily, chew them (i.e. reflect, talk, text), and digest them (i.e. pray, obey, act out). If possible, I encourage you to be on a ‘daily pilgrimage’ by setting a joyful daily routine for a devotion – reading, writing a short Lenten journal entry, colouring, Scripture memory, or drawing. (You can even tick it off in a little box for a self-challenge!)
Try keeping a digital detox journal at the dining table, during your travels, at your favourite café, or before bedtime — whether alone or with family and friends. Turn this practice into a meaningful ritual. You are also welcome to share your reflections with friends or anyone you wish to connect with through the God-moments! Give it a go—this could become your testimony and His-story at present!