Ecc. 5:1-7
Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools ; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy thework of your hands? For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.
I have come to the conclusion that we, as people, and I, myself, say too much. There are many words that are spoken, few of which are notable, meaningful or memorable. Words must be used for utility, communicating logistics for everyday life. These words can't be avoided; they simplify and improve efficiency. "Since you're going to the store, could you pick such-and-such up for me?" This just saved time and gas-- just one example.
Other than that, a lot of what we communicate is not necessary and takes too many words. We talk about other people and it typically digresses into the realm of negativity, the result of which is not life-giving to us or the people we're talking about. We say too much to each other, that which we should say to the Lord. Yet, I find that when I bring my comments to the Lord they are not necessarily things I would say to the Lord.
I asked the Lord for a focus for the year-- an over-arching theme. He spoke "reverence." How, then, do I live a reverent life? To revere Him, I must remember to whom I am speaking when I am praying. The One God, Master of the Universe, creator and sustainer of all things, and the one rightly judges me and all people. Therefore, may I let my words be few.
I blogged on this verse before: "For in many dreams and many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God." I don't want my words use to lead to emptiness; I don't want to give into the need to fill the silence for no good reason. I don't want to give into day dreaming about what my life could be, into fantasies of what I wish my life would be. Rather, may I fear God. Here. Now. May I be content in waiting on Him in the silence, focusing my attention on Him, giving Him reverence and letting my words be few. May I be content with His presence, here in the present that I may be present in this moment to the great I AM.
I heard once that the English language has hundreds of thousands of words whereas Hebrew has tens of thousands, each one rich with layered meaning and significance. Every word which God has spoken in the Biblical text was supremely purposeful, each phrase could be studied for years without excavating a fraction of its depths. Each word was perfectly placed, a transcendent expression of divine intent. How often do I say things that I regret? Usually when I start talking without thinking. Just talking. "Hasty in word" and "impulsive in thought." And, as we learned in elementary school, the toothpaste is nearly impossible to put back inside the tube. May I become more like the Lord, with purposeful words and less verbal regret.
So at the risk of violating my new resolve to try to speak fewer words with more intention and reverence, may the Lord bless you with nearness and profundity this year, in waiting on Him in silence. He is always speaking.
