Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 HCSB
The thunder was clapping, the lightening was flashing across the sky, and the rain seemed to be coming down in buckets. Parking the van in the parking lot of the church where I was to attend a conference, I pulled out my old umbrella and proceeded to try to keep dry as I made my way to the door. One of my biggest obstacles was the rain running across the parking lot. I had to be careful where I was stepping or I would have had water in my shoes. I was careful to step over the stream of running water.
Just as I was guarding my steps over the rain running across the parking lot, these Scriptures remind us that as we should be careful when we approach God. We must be careful, quiet, reverent, sincere, and honest as we draw close to God. God is sovereign and is in control. He knows what is best for each of us. It even says that our words should be few, indicating that we should approach God with awe and wonder, because He has wisdom and we are only humans here on earth. Quicksource by Lifeway Christian Resources reports, “Andrew Murray reflects that the very thought of God in His majesty and holiness should silence us.” Often our lives are so filled with the noise of the world that we are distracted from giving God our complete attention.
Challenge: Sit in silence and listen for God to speak to you. He may not speak audibly but He will impress on your heart what you need to know. Listen to Matt Redman’s worship song, “Let My Words Be Few” at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqIA_l2ypkE, which is based on Ecclesiastes 5:1-3