Eccles. 5:1-3
Realizing that I am a temple of God is one of the most important things I frequently forget. We like the tangible so we find it hard to recognize God's presence in our life. We want to feel something that says that God is there. We want to put the responsibility of knowing God's presence on God. We are often like the friend that complains that we do not call enough; yet they seldom make the call either. One attempt to know God's presence is to pray often throughout the day, which is great. How often do we actively listen for God? How often during our busy lives do we take the initiative to find where God is in our life? Like I said, I frequently forget the most important things.
5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
- Why would Solomon caution his readers about how they went to the house/temple of God?
- As a Christian you are a "brick" in the house of God. How might this passage speak to you? - What was the recommended goal of going near the house of God?
- How often do you go to God in prayer to tell Him something rather than to hear from Him? - What might have been the sacrifice of fools?
- Why is ignorance not always an excuse? - How does v. 2 conflict with today's approach to prayer?
- Is it wrong to lay every detail of life before God? Why or why not?
- How might praying about life's details keep you from praying about more important things?
- How might praying about life's details keep you from hearing God speak through his Word?
- How might praying about life's details keep you aware of God's presence throughout the day? - Eccles. 5:1-7, as a unit, address making vows before God. How often have you made a hasty, impulsive promise to God?
- How often have you expected God to provide the effort for the promise you made to Him? - In general, are you a person of many words or many actions?
- Does this extend to your relationship with God?
Realizing that I am a temple of God is one of the most important things I frequently forget. We like the tangible so we find it hard to recognize God's presence in our life. We want to feel something that says that God is there. We want to put the responsibility of knowing God's presence on God. We are often like the friend that complains that we do not call enough; yet they seldom make the call either. One attempt to know God's presence is to pray often throughout the day, which is great. How often do we actively listen for God? How often during our busy lives do we take the initiative to find where God is in our life? Like I said, I frequently forget the most important things.
1 comment:
Thank you for these words of comment and your questions. There was indeed a lesson for me. "Be more ready to hear and obey." I need to be more careful about my hasty and lengthy words when praying.
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