Sunday preparation

Wednesday March 17, 2021

Sunday preparation

No one will present to me empty-handed. Exodus 23:15

A friend, who devotes all his time to the service of the Lord, is often received in Christian homes during his travels. He thus has the opportunity to see concretely how these families live.

This friend was staying for a few days with a couple who had five small children. On Sunday morning, he saw that the mother had a lot to do to get her whole family ready in time to attend the service, but he was amazed to find that the father was invisible. He asked one of the children if his father had to be away abruptly. “Oh no,” the little boy replied, but it's Sunday today and Dad is busy reading the Bible and other books until we go to the meeting. It is important not to disturb him”. Perhaps the father of the family arrived fresh and ready to worship, but undoubtedly not his wife !

How do we prepare for Sunday ? Reading the Bible and meditating it before worship is undoubtedly highly advisable, but it is every day of the week that one must be concerned not to appear empty before God. There are also other aspects of our preparation that we may be neglecting and which are just as important :

- Use mercy. The Lord said, quoting the prophet Hosea : I want mercy and not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13 12: 7). But mercy certainly means taking the time to relieve one's wife.

- Settle any outstanding dispute. The Lord enjoins : If you present your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go first to be reconciled to your brother ; then come and present your offering (Matthew 5: 23,24). My brother... it's my family first ! Am I sure when I go to worship that there are no unclear shadows between me and my spouse or children ? If so, the first preparation is to sort out these points.

You will no doubt find other equally practical ways of not “appearing empty” before God. So how are we going to prepare, during all the days of this week, this coming Sunday ? God reveals himself.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)