DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONALS: DECEMBER 21 THANKING GOD WITH CLEAN HANDS (2) SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 8: 20 – 21; PSALM 26: 6 – 7
Our devotional yesterday talked about King David saying that he will wash his hands in innocence before going to the altar of God singing songs of thanksgiving (Psa. 26: 6). This was why the devotional talked much about the need to have one’s sins cleansed, like in the Old Testament days with genuine confession of sins committed before going into the thanksgiving processes. It was said yesterday too that faithful confession of sins to Jesus for reconciliation can be considered enough instead of the archaic washing of the hands. One of the major areas yesterday’s devotional exploited was about what might hinder acceptable thanksgiving. This is going to offer thanksgiving with hands soiled with blood.
King David’s declaration of washing his hands in innocence can be seen further than killing people for rituals and bringing the wealth made to church altar for thanksgiving. If as read yesterday, that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to God, then those engaging in wickedness might watch their lives and avoid going with the crowd with farbulous gifts as Thanksgiving Offerings to God. The 21st Century churches seem to be accepting anything brought to the altar of God as thanksgiving offerings. We can console ourselves that it will be difficult to check the sources of income of the multitudes in the churches to ascertain whose gifts come from a clean hand. We may settle on “prayers of sanctification” on things given to God as thanksgiving offerings. However, exercising carefulness in accepting all that come into the church at thanksgiving days is still recommended by this devotional.
Connecting the focus of this devotional to what happened to Ananias and his wife,Sapphira , who died on lying to the Holy Spirit; one can agree that bringing any seed of sin into what the saints are giving for the work of God could convey regrettable consequences. If lying to the Holy Spirit could take the lives of a husband and wife, we can wonder how many lives in the 21st Century churches will be destroyed due to various proceeds of lies, cheats, duping, frauds, monies from sales of human body parts, wealth gotten from human trafficking and other related wicked acts. We are to know that clean gifts from clean hands equals to the aromatic “sweet smelling savour” burnt offering Noah offered to God that made God entered into wonderful covenant with him (Gen. 8: 20 – 21). Beloved brethren, this saying may sound extreme, but it carries statement of facts we supposed not to trash under our feet.
PRAYER:
Pray today, asking God to always enable you avoid wicked acts so as to become wealthy since you might likely take the proceeds to church for thanksgiving offerings. Ask for the wisdom of God that will lead you to righteous businesses in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
