Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind of Sounding Good

Some of us are naturally bigger talkers than others. Even those of us that don’t talk as much still need to be careful what we say. In fact, when it comes to talking to God, we’re to listen more than we speak.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7        ^]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

We’re to be careful when making promises before God. We’re also to stand in awe and listen to God more than speak ourselves. He does want to hear from us in prayer, but He has lots to tell us – through His word and through quiet moments. One of my friend’s favorite verses is:

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Where can you and I go this week to be still before God? How will you and I take time to truly listen rather than spending most of our time telling Him our ideas?

Alice