Day 1
'Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. '
Ecclesiastes 5:1
Watch this segment of this week’s Going Deeper podcast episode before continuing today’s devotional.
After four chapters of processing life under the sun, the Teacher finally calls us to action. We should guard our steps when we approach the House of the Lord and come near to listen rather than offer the sacrifice of fools, who approach God with a rehearsed promise, performance, or speech. The Hebrew word for listen (shema) extends beyond simply hearing and includes an obedient response. When you come before God, are you coming near to truly listen, or are you bringing pre-prepared “sacrifice of fools”?
Action: Before you pray or read today, write on a card what you were planning to say to God, turn it face down, and sit without speaking for two full minutes before you say anything back. Listen to what He has to say before you express what you have written down!
Day 2
'Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. '
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
Watch this segment of this week’s Going Deeper podcast episode before continuing today’s devotional.
The Teacher encourages us to slow ourselves down, don't let our hearts rush ahead of our mouths, and keep our words few knowing that God is in heaven and we are on earth. The teacher claims that the many words of fools are derived from a mind crowded with cares. The person who can't stop dreaming about their worries all night carries that same voice into God's presence. When you pray, how much of what you say is just the worries of your day still talking?
Action: Pray out loud into a voice memo for as long as you want, then play it back and count how many sentences were about your worries and how many were about God. Then, pray through the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
Day 3
'When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?'
Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
Watch this segment of this week’s Going Deeper podcast episode before continuing today’s devotional.
No one in Israel was ever required to make a vow to God, but once the words left their mouth, the Teacher claims they owe it without delay. The Teacher treats a promise to God as a good and serious thing. Most vows get made in hospital waiting rooms, in a signed covenant, at weddings, or in the chorus of a worship song. Then, they quietly fade. When someone finally holds us accountable to the promise, we offer excuses: “it was a mistake,” “the season changed,” “I never had peace about it.” The Teacher warns that careless promises made in God’s name can affect everything we build under the sun. What promise(s) to God are you still waiting to keep, or what have you been careful never to promise Him at all?
Action: On an index card, finish one of two sentences: "God, I told you I would ___" or "God, I've avoided promising You ___ because ___." Keep the card in your wallet until tomorrow.
Day 4
'Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. '
Ecclesiastes 5:7
Watch this segment of this week’s Going Deeper podcast episode before continuing today’s devotional.
The restless dreaming, the rushed promises, and the excuses rehearsed for the messenger is all meaningless according to the Teacher. His one answer: Fear God. The teacher has already mentioned His reverence of a God who is approachable, even though He is in heaven while we are on earth. He has also warned us of the frightening circumstances that God’s anger can unleash against the work of our hands in response to an unfulfilled vow. Still, the Teacher encourages us to draw near to this holy and dangerous God. When you come before God, which part of fearing Him is missing for you: the awe of His holiness, the weight of His warnings, or the nearness He invites you into?
Challenge: Flip over yesterday's card and write one promise God has already kept for you in Jesus (i.e. your sins forgiven, a place in His family, His presence with you always), then keep that side facing up somewhere you'll see it today and text a photo of it to someone in your Life Group. Every promise God has ever made finds its yes in Jesus, and that is where you stand before a holy God.