Noise Without Meaning

As I read and spent time in prayer today, I felt weary, and nothing really spoke directly to me. After a quiet time in prayer, I re-examined my reading and still came up empty until I felt God gently led me to these verses.

“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 NLT

There are days, times in our lives when we get weary, we don’t have enthusiasm or energy, we’re just empty. That doesn’t mean we aren’t in tune with what God wants. In fact, according to these verses that’s a great time to approach God. We live in a culture that is programmed for noise, even in church services. But often we all need to just sit quietly before God. I often wonder if we have our services backwards, maybe we need quiet worship first, teaching and then celebratory praise. So often when we start off with loud praise, lights and smoke we throw up words that we really don’t feel in our hearts. It’s just what we do in church, and our noisy society. Don’t get me wrong I think there is a place for a celebratory and all the noise, I enjoy it.

To me this scripture is saying we are to approach God with a quiet, ready to listen mindset. As we do then our celebration and praise to God has powerful meaning. To inner into the presence of God we are to be ready to listen rather that throw up words we really don’t feel in our hearts. God understands weariness and those times when we just feel empty!

“Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

Get before God and listen, He loves to be with you.

Live Strong!

Pastor Eugene