One mouth, two ears…

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)

Any effort in life to be prosperous (a dream) requires much business (or busyness) which this writer compares to the hasty and prolific words of a fool who talks too much. Another writer compares this thought this way:

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

This is like those who busily do what they think is serving God without actually listening to or obeying Him. They go through the motions and appear to be devout, but their actions are mere ritual. This was condemned then, and by Jesus, and today often goes undetected or sometimes applauded. 

Those who “serve God” in this manner perhaps have vowed to do so, yet when doing so, are doing what they assume is wanted rather than what God accepts. As one writer says, the truth that it is more acceptable to God is that one should go to Him to hear the Law taught and expounded, than to offer a formal sacrifice of ‘good’ works. This is the offering of a godless man and in proverbial language called “the sacrifice of fools” (Proverbs 21:27).

This same writer also says that the “fools” who offer unacceptable sacrifices do not know how to worship God heartily and properly. Thinking to please Him with their formal acts of devotion, they fall into a grievous sin. 

In my thinking, this is a failure to recognize the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Instead of glorifying God who uses us like a hand in a glove, the glove gets credit for cooperating with the hand instead of moving with it in obedience and with the recognition of its own helplessness. 

. . . .  though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:6–10)

Paul knew the glory of few words and obedience because he knew his own helplessness and the foolishness of talking too much. He sought the will of God and was told his power was in helplessness, not in the many good things that God's hand did with him. His ‘dreams’ were successful because he feared God and listened. 

Lord Jesus, every day something happens requiring Your instruction. In my response to these events, I talk big about what I will do, but You urge me to shut up and listen. Then You surprise me with Your solutions. These are lessons in what it means to fear You and listen. You are the most amazing God and I am blessed to be weak and listen, rather than be ‘strong’ and do what I think is best.

 

Grace under fire?

In regard to yesterday’s thoughts, God gave me an idea of how I can ‘visit’ orphans in Brazil or other places by using technology. Only two issues: the recipients must also have the same technology, and we must both speak the same language. I’ve sent this idea to a mission in Brazil and I am waiting for their response.

In the meantime, Piper’s devotional raises a question: Is zeal for doing good praised or persecuted? He points to this passage:

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:13–16)

This reminds me of the playground ditty, “My Dad is bigger than your dad” sometimes used to challenge attackers. If someone is critical of what I do in obedience to Jesus, He will defend me, or at least bless me. I’m not to be afraid or even troubled by any opposition. Key is not my feelings about criticism but what I do about it. Imaginary conversation:

“What is the reason you are doing that? What good will it do?”

“I’m not sure. I only know that Jesus is able to use small offerings, such as five loaves and two fish, to bless a great number of people. I’ve no idea what He will do with what I’m doing. I just know that He prompted the idea, not me. I have no special skill or insight into His plan, only that He wants this done.”

While my imagination gives me a sense of what Jesus wants when I am questioned or doubted, He does make another promise:

Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:17–20)

Piper talks about future grace and this is a good example. God gives me what I need when I need it, not before. This means I have no need to plan my conversations or try to figure out what to say ahead of time. These verses are not about ‘sermon preparation’ or ‘lesson planning’ but about those times when my hope in Christ is challenged, either verbally or with extreme persecution.

Where I live, the legal system prevents others from tossing Christians in jail for their faith. However, we know people from other countries where the legal system did the tossing. They testify to the power of God who kept them at peace even when they could not speak to defend themselves. Their testimonies demonstrate that God is bigger than any threat that I might ever face.

PRAY: Jesus, whether I see Your great power in the lives of others, or someday need that same power in my own life, You are faithful to keep Your promise to be my Rock and Defender, also my source to do good and use my voice to speak with gentleness and respect, even when abused and treated harshly. Thank You for such great grace.