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EMPTY-HANDED
When the Israelites went to appear before the LORD at their feast days, on the Sabbaths or at personal times of dedication, we are told that “No-one is to appear before me (the LORD) empty handed.” (34:20). At any and all of these times they were to bring an offering to God.
Sometimes we think that the Law doesn’t apply to us anymore, but this is a principle we would be wise to follow. Just as the Israelites had to bring an offering to the LORD when they came before him, so we should also bring an offering when we meet with him. How often do we go to a Sunday Morning service completely unprepared? We go along, sit in our seats and expect to be fed, entertained or made to feel good. We haven’t given any thought to what might be said, what we can do to make the service more effective, how we can encourage someone else, or even prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, praise or asked God to bless the meeting. If that is us then it seems that we are presuming to appear before the LORD empty-handed.
Instead let us make sure that when we meet with the LORD we bring our offering – whatever it may be. It may be the sacrifice of praise, the incense of prayer, a gift of encouragement, the willingness to work or even just simply having prepared our minds. “No-one is to appear before the LORD empty-handed.”
Robert Prins