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6/11 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 16; Psalm 103; Isaiah 43; Revelation 13
Deuteronomy 16:16
“They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.”
PRESENCE
The child of God is not empty-handed. The Hebrew word translated “empty” (KJV) or “empty-handed” (ESV), רֵיקָם (rāy-QAM). It literally means void or without place. Although the corruptions still remaining in mortal flesh hinder us from keeping God’s commandments in sinless perfection, to suggest there is any substance to the false doctrine that the law has been replaced by the grace opposes both Scripture and logic. We, the redeemed in Christ, have the very presence of God in Christ dwelling in us (John 14:17). Yes, Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, flawlessly, sinlessly, and completely on behalf of all those whom He has saved; yet, because He dwells in us (Heb 13:5), has regenerated us as new creations (2 Cor 5:17), with God’s law purposed within the new heart and spirit we’ve been given by God’s grace (Ezek 36:22, 26-27), to reject God’s commands is to dishonor the Christ who fulfilled them. When shall we appear before the Lord? Another way to translate the verse is:
“They shall not be seen in YHVH’s presence void or without place.”
As redeemed souls, we appear constantly in God’s presence because Christ dwells with us perpetually and eternally (Matt 28:20). What are we to give to God? The answer is in the next verse:
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17
As sinners saved by God’s grace in Christ, we can only give what we are able; not to justify ourselves before God, but because we respond in love for the love with which He has loved us through the atoning sacrifice of His only Son. Jesus said,
“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
The child of God, redeem’d by grace,
Is empower’d to give
God glory, as if face to face,
As long as we do live.
