This is hymn 57 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
HYMN 57: MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED?
1. Must I Go And Empty Handed?
Thus My Dear Redeemer Meet?
Not One Day Of Service Give Him,
Lay No Trophy At His Feet?
Refrain:
Must I Go, And Empty-Handed?
Must I Meet My Saviour So?
Not One Soul With Which To Greet Him?
Must I Empty Handed Go?
2. Not At Death I Shrink Or Falter
For My Saviour Saves Me Now
But To Meet Him Empty Handed
Thought Of That Now Clouds My Brow
3. Oh, The Years In Sinning Wasted
Could I But Recall Them Now
I Would Give Them To My Saviour
To His Will I’d Gladly Bow
4. O Ye Saints, Arouse, Be Earnest
Up And Work While Yet ‘Tis Day
Ere The Night Of Death O’er Take Thee,
Strive For Souls While Still You May.
MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED? HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, this hymn strikes a sobering and deeply motivational chord in the heart of every believer. “Must I Go and Empty Handed?” confronts us with the poignant reality of standing before Christ at the end of our earthly journey. It moves beyond the assurance of salvation to the pressing concern of a life’s yield—our stewardship of the grace we have received. It is a hymn that awakens us from spiritual complacency and ignites a passion for fruitful service while it is still day.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to examine the fruitfulness of our lives, to stir a holy urgency for evangelism and service, and to motivate us to live each day with eternity’s judgment seat in view. It is a hymn for self-examination, for repentance over wasted time, and for immediate action in God’s harvest field.
1. It is a Hymn of a Dreadful Prospect (Verse 1 & Refrain)
The hymn begins with a haunting, personal question: “Must I go and empty handed? Thus my dear Redeemer meet?” The thought of encountering the One who gave His all for us, while we have nothing of eternal value to present, is framed as a dreadful prospect. The imagery is of a day of review, where trophies of grace—souls won, service rendered, obedience fulfilled—are laid at the feet of our King (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The refrain intensifies the question, focusing on the greatest “trophy”: “Not one soul with which to greet Him?” It confronts the believer with the priority of participating in God’s redemptive work.
2. It is a Hymn of Present Salvation but Future Regret (Verse 2)
This verse clarifies that the singer’s fear is not about losing salvation. There is no shrinking from death because “my Saviour saves me now.” The security of redemption is settled. The “cloud” on the brow is the looming sorrow of eternal ineffectiveness—the pain of a saved soul that was barren. It is the grief of a life rescued from hell but offering little fruit for heaven. This is a call to live a salvation that is not only secure but significant.
3. It is a Hymn of Wasted Time and Renewed Consecration (Verse 3)
Here, the singer laments years “in sinning wasted.” This applies both to the pre-conversion life and to any post-conversion periods of backsliding or idleness. The heartfelt cry, “Could I but recall them now,” expresses a deep desire for a second chance to invest that lost time in eternal purposes. The response is a prayer of immediate surrender: “I would give them to my Saviour, To His will I’d gladly bow.” This verse is an act of repentance and a pledge to redeem the time that remains (Ephesians 5:16).
4. It is a Hymn of Urgent Exhortation (Verse 4)
The personal reflection turns outward into a passionate exhortation to the whole church: “O ye saints, arouse, be earnest!” The time for work is limited: “Up and work while yet ’tis day.” The “night of death” is coming for each of us, when opportunities cease. The specific work commanded is the Great Commission: “Strive for souls while still you may.” This final verse transforms personal anxiety into corporate action, calling every believer to join in the urgent labor of bringing others to Christ.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
As you contemplate your life today, ask yourself the hymn’s searching question: Am I living in a way that will allow me to meet my Redeemer with joy, bearing the fruit of a life spent for His glory?
Let the security of your salvation free you from fear, but let the prospect of His holy review motivate you from sloth. Repent of any wasted time, and from this moment, bow your will gladly to His. Look around you—your home, your workplace, your community. See the souls for whom Christ died.
Do not let the sun set on an “empty-handed” day. Perform an act of service in His name. Speak a word of witness for His sake. Pray earnestly for a soul. Arouse yourself, be earnest, and strive for the Master’s commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Let your life be a gift you bring to the feet of your King.
In the name of Jesus, who desires our fruit, Amen.
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