Inspired by lyrics to “Empty Hands” by Daniel Nahmod
“When my hands were empty, when my hope was gone. I couldn’t help but wonder, what had I done wrong?
But even though my heart was broken, there was no need to despair. Cause a vessel must open, to put something better there . . . .
So forgive me when I doubt it (although sometimes I do),
or consider giving up (when I cannot see the Truth). I know I’ll never go without Your deep and abiding love.
Into my empty hands, gently You poured new life for me. Yours is a perfect plan, the ups and the downs were meant to be. Now, I understand. You needed my empty hands . . . .
And I cannot help but cry to think of the gifts You’ve given me. Now, I understand. You needed my empty hands. Thank You for my empty hands.”
Responsive Reading for November 8
A poor widow with two children asked the prophet Elisha for help, saying that since she had no money to pay her late husband’s creditor, her children were going to be taken as his slaves. Elisha asked her what she had left in the house; she said she had nothing but a jug of oil. “‘Go out, he said, ‘borrow vessels from all your neighbors–as many empty vessels as you can.’” As she poured out the oil, it flowed to fill every one of the many vessels she had borrowed; when the last vessel was filled, the oil stopped. Elisha said, “Go and sell the oil to pay off your creditor; with what remains, you and your children can live” (II Kings, 4:1-7).
“Even though my heart was broken, there was no need to despair.
Because a vessel must open, to put something better there.”
Naomi said: “I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty” (Ruth 1:21 KJV).
“Yours is a perfect plan, the ups and the downs were meant to be.”
“I know I’ll never go without Your deep and abiding love.”
Ruth “went home to her mother-in-law, who asked, ‘How did things go, my daughter?’ So she told her all the man [Boaz] had done for her, and concluded, ‘He gave me these six measures of barley and said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty’” (Ruth 3:16 NABRE).
“Into my empty hands, gently, You poured new life for me.”
“Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the LORD who has not failed to provide you today. . . [Ruth] is worth more to you than seven sons!’” (Ruth 4:14-15 NAB).
“I cannot help but cry to think of the gifts You’ve given me.
Now, I understand. You needed my empty hands.”