Daily Encouragementنموونە

If life lived “under the sun” is meaningless, then much religion is meaningless too. Its worshippers go unthinkingly to the house of God and offer their sacrifices, taking it for granted that all is well. It is characterized by many words and rash decisions. It is evanescent and has more to do with a dream-world than with true life and reality. “Much dreaming and many words are meaningless . . . ” (verse 7).

How are we to watch our step as we go to the house of God? We are to stand before him “with reverence and awe,” which is the very essence of acceptable worship (Heb. 12:28). We are to draw near “with a sincere heart” (Ecc. 10:22), a quality which requires serious thought. We will listen to his word before we speak our own, and when we do we shall begin with God and not ourselves: “Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy Name; thy Kingdom come . . . ” Then, and then only, shall we make our sacrifice, and it will be “a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Ecc. 13:15). Then, and then only, shall we make our vows, and their inspiration will be “his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).