PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ecclesiastes 5-6
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” (Ecclesiastes 6:11)
These words make me pensive, as I think about my calling.
It seems to me I make my living by multiplying words.
How many words have I preached, taught and counseled… or blogged?
Do my words make things clearer, or do they add to the noise and confusion?
I enjoy thinking about the meaning of words.
But I have also found that word meanings are elusive, and relative.
Words in different cultures and contexts can have widely different meanings and nuances.
Do we really understand the Hebrew and Greek in the bible, as experts interpret them?
If there meaning is clear, why so many translations, why so many disagreements?
What gives me hope is the Word behind the words, the truth of God revealed in Jesus.
Yet the world could not hold the books that could be written about him (John 21:25).
Our multiplied words do not express Jesus, – not sermons or creeds or doctrines.
Maybe I should use less words, and trust the Spirit to speak through me.
When the Spirit speaks, that definitely profits everyone!
PRAYER
Lord, I admit it, I tend to fill the silence with words. Help me to say less, so that you can say more! Teach me the value of shutting up, so you can get a word in edgewise.
“Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.” This reminds me of Jesus and the woman at the well – when Jesus talks about living water – water that permanently quenches thirst. Jesus is the bread of life – I will hunger no more. While on earth I need to eat and drink to survive – I may be satisfied for a little while but I will hunger and thirst again if I don’t eat. The cycle continues on this side of heaven. Lord, I know that in you I may live receiving daily manna from you – with your Spirit guiding me – may I hunger and thirst for your presence more than I hunger for food or water!
I t is the Lord God who gives the joy of his heart. The joy of the Lord God is my strength. And it is only He Who is able to give me the joy of my labour. It is a gift of God. All of what I do needs to be for Jesus and as He has blessed me, I need to bless others as a servant of the King.
Refrain:
All of my life, I will praise the living God,
My heart full of joy,
I will bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And never forget his gifts.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He pardons all our sins.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He saves us from all harm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He fills our life with good.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He keeps us ever young.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His mercy never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His kindness never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His promises he keeps.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He died to bring us life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He is the Bread of Life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
In him we find all love.