Today we will read Ecclesiastes 5: 1-7:

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools, for they do not know how to keep from doing evil. 2 Never be rash with your mouth nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.

3 For dreams come with many cares, and a fool’s voice with many words.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let 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 words and destroy the work of your hands?

7 With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words, but fear God.

Yesterday we saw the Teacher say, here is something good – friendship. Today, we see him share with us another good thing. Understanding.  Now, when we read this passage, understanding may not be the first word that jumps off the page here. But that is what is it. 

Today we see this: understand who you are.  You (no I) are God.  God is in heaven.  We are upon the earth  Let your words be few.  Understand that you are not God. God is the creator, we are the creation. God is the King, we are the subjects.  As the old kid’s song God, we are weak but you are strong. 

When we understand that God is God, that understanding gives a sense of peace. I don’t have to know everything. I don’t have to have everything figured out. I don’t know to know it all. I am not God. I am not in heaven. That’s all above my pay grade.  

I can have peace in that.  Understanding that God is God gives us peace. It gives us comfort. It gives us hope.  You don’t have to speak. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to do it all. God is God. You are not. 

That is peace. 

Rest in the fact, this morning, that there is God in heaven who knows, who loves, who cares and directs, and who is there. Trust in Him today. Have the quiet confidence that comes from that understanding. He is God. We are not. 

And that is a good thing. That understanding gives us peace.  

If you’d like to get each day’s daily scripture reading sent to your phone along with this reading guide, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up!