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. 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. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. – Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ESV
Open our ears.
Soften our hearts.
Still our tongues.
Free us from our pride.
Let our worship, our praise, our service be focused on you and you alone, in awe and wonder before the one holy, righteous, almighty God.
Please, LORD, have mercy on us, your servants. Come and lead us in your way, by the power of Christ alive in us. Have your way as we step into the light, not shrinking back, but learning to discern your will, renew our minds, resist evil, and live as new creations. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 