Exodus 34:20b: “No one may appear before me without an offering.”
I stubbed my toe on that one.
I’m sure plenty of arguments could be made that “Jesus was the final offering God needed” or “We’re now called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices” or something along those lines. Surely we don’t need to always bring an offering to God.
That might be true. But the answer to that isn’t my point. I don’t really care what the black and white solution is. My question is: What are we going to do with the grey area in-between? Are we going to do what’s permissible or what’s beneficial (1 Cor. 6:12)?
We need to come to God offering something, not always in need of something. We already have all we need… in Him. Doesn’t scripture say “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25)?
Lose yourself… in Him. Sew yourself into Him and reap the rewards of a 100-fold return. Go ahead and ask Him for stuff (Matt. 7:7-11), but not until you’ve given Him your all, which is your reasonable service (Rom. 12:1).
Isn’t this how Christ taught us to pray (Matt. 6:8-13): first: adoration, next: yeilding, then: petitioning? Offer Him the praise due His name, then offer Him your heart and desires and take up His. Then request He move on your behalf.
4 replies on “Empty handed”
Very inspiring, Brenda…and Joel!!
Oops! I meant for this comment to go under your Valentine post.
Your post discribes the Mom’s In Touch prayer format. The leader chooses one of God’s attributes, names, or an aspect of His character. We read scripture concerning her choice and spend time in prayer praising Him for that then we go to a short time of silent confession, followed by prayers of thanksgiving for what He is and for what He has done and given us, and conclude with intersession. Too often Christians treat God as a vending machine and our prayers are not acts of worship. Prayer should be an act of worship! I like and use the MITI most often in my times of prayer.
sometimes what you offer Him is your brokeness, your submission, your crooked walking, your aching head and in that, you are worshipping Him through trusting His character, His heart and His love.
you can still enter His courts with thanksgiving and praise, even when you’re bleeding because He doesn’t change.