FEB 6

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
Memorise Ecclesiastes 5:2
"Be not rash with thy mouth"

HOW IS YOUR WORSHIP? – SPEECH

As we worship God, we must also be very careful with what we says, and do not be rash to utter words which we would later regret. What God wants of us are certainly not rash actions or words, but simply a heart ready to hear God’s words and do them.

God is high in the heavens, the eternal all-powerful God, whilst we are weak and mortal sinful beings on the earth. As insignificant and unworthy as we are, we have absolutely no right to ever have any association whatsoever with God. Yet it is only by the grace and mercy of God that we have this opportunity to come before Him to sing praises to His name. This is a privilege extended only to the blood-bought children of God. Therefore when we worship God, we must be very aware of this fact. Remembering who God is and what we are in contrast to Him will certainly place a healthy reverential fear within us. We will not be so quick to shoot off our mouth, but learn to keep silent before Him. As we sing at the start of every worship service, let us remember that "The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him" (Habakkuk 2:20).

The fool would be one who does not know how to guard his mouth. He blabbers at every opportunity, even if he has nothing useful or constructive to say. The comparison Solomon brings up is that just as a person who is involved in much business throughout the day, and thus when he sleeps his mind is still plagued by dreams and random thoughts, likewise one who spouts many words would show that he is a fool. Like a dream, they the fool’s voice is confused, incoherent, very random, and best forgotten.

As the old saying goes – empty vessels make the most noise. When we come to the house of the Lord for worship, are we aware that we are in the very presence of God? Do we continue have that light-hearted flippant and jesting attitude, one that is only interested in entertaining self and others around you, instead of worshiping God? When we mouth our words of worship through the hymns we sing and when we read and hear the words of His Scripture, we are praising Him and listening to His Word. In light of that, are we then careful of the words that come out of our mouths?

Thought: Do I mean the words that I say when I sing hymns to God?
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to control my speech, and never to be rash with my mouth.