40 Days of Words | Day 12
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Words
Day 12| LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW | Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
40 Days of Words
Day 12| LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW | Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” (NLT)
Yesterday, we talked about limiting the words we say to one another.
Today, that same wise man – Solomon, the writer of both the Proverbs AND Ecclesiastes – is talking about the wisdom we should acquire when we go into the house of the Lord; when we go to speak to the LORD in prayer.
One of the most important things to know about God is this: He’s God, and we’re not.
So, Solomon gives us wise instruction when we “enter the house of God,” and that is, to enter with “ears open and mouth shut.” We NEED to hear from God. Frankly, He doesn’t NEED to hear from us. Again, He’s God, and we’re not. We need God; He doesn’t NEED us. He does love us and care for us, and wants to provide for us. He does want to have a relationship with us… but “need us”? No. He existed just fine in eternity past without us!
Once we grasp that, we might better understand why God doesn’t NEED to hear from us either.
Ever tried having a conversation with a two-year-old? They are trying to tell you about their lives which they are experiencing. You’ve “been there, done that” and are WAY beyond them in so many ways. Yet, you listen – out of love. But as they grow, they NEED to listen to you even more. You know the way. You know the pitfalls.
And so does God.
Prayer: LORD, help me remember EVERY DAY that You are God, and I’m not. Help me let my words be few and listen more to what YOU have to say every day. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” (NLT)
Yesterday, we talked about limiting the words we say to one another.
Today, that same wise man – Solomon, the writer of both the Proverbs AND Ecclesiastes – is talking about the wisdom we should acquire when we go into the house of the Lord; when we go to speak to the LORD in prayer.
One of the most important things to know about God is this: He’s God, and we’re not.
So, Solomon gives us wise instruction when we “enter the house of God,” and that is, to enter with “ears open and mouth shut.” We NEED to hear from God. Frankly, He doesn’t NEED to hear from us. Again, He’s God, and we’re not. We need God; He doesn’t NEED us. He does love us and care for us, and wants to provide for us. He does want to have a relationship with us… but “need us”? No. He existed just fine in eternity past without us!
Once we grasp that, we might better understand why God doesn’t NEED to hear from us either.
Ever tried having a conversation with a two-year-old? They are trying to tell you about their lives which they are experiencing. You’ve “been there, done that” and are WAY beyond them in so many ways. Yet, you listen – out of love. But as they grow, they NEED to listen to you even more. You know the way. You know the pitfalls.
And so does God.
Prayer: LORD, help me remember EVERY DAY that You are God, and I’m not. Help me let my words be few and listen more to what YOU have to say every day. Amen.