Let’s Not Come Empty-Handed

[soso]

Let’s Not Come Empty-Handed

Thursday, October 18, 2018

“… No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed…” (Deuteronomy 16:16 NIV)

According to Old Testament law, all Israelite men had to go up to Jerusalem at least three times a year— for the Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.  And they were not to go empty-handed.  They had to bring to the Temple [their offerings and sacrifices] /in the form of animals without defect and the first-fruits of their harvests.

We no longer go to a Temple in Jerusalem; nor do we have to offer sacrifices for our sins.  Thank God that Jesus, our Savior, gave his life as a living sacrifice /once for all time /so that [we //who have repented of our sins and put our trust in him] might have our sins washed away, restored relationship with our heavenly Father, and eternal life.  But, guess what?  Like the Israelites, we are not to appear empty-handed before the Lord.

Instead of bringing animal sacrifices, we read in the New Testament that we are to bring our thanksgiving and a sacrifice of praise into his presence.  (See, for example, Colossians 3:15 and Hebrews 13:15).  In fact, some of us owe back-praise and back-thanksgiving to the Lord /for the many things () he has done for us— for salvation, for his mercy and grace, for his protection, for hearing and answering our prayers, and for providing for us each and every day.  

Perhaps you’re too beaten down to bring your praises to him at the moment.  If so, that’s still no reason to come into his presence empty-handed.  Why don’t you bring him your problem?  He would love to take that burden from you and replace it with his peace (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7)).  Then you will be able to lift up your hands and your heart and offer to the Lord the thanksgiving and the praise due his name!

Let’s not come before the Lord empty-handed today!

Read Deuteronomy 16:13-17.