Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Ecclesiastes 4:13-5:7 NIV
Advancement Is Meaningless
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Fulfill Your Vow to God
5 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. 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. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6 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? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
— What do you do when you make a hasty promise you can’t keep?
Words make a difference. You created the galaxy with Your Word. Your written Word speaks to my soul. Lord, thank You for the people that You have put in my life. What words come out of my mouth can either encourage or destroy others. Help me to guard the words that I say to others. Relationships are built upon loving words. Help me to not say just what others want to hear but to be honest, loyal, trustworthy, and genuine. Help me to not be fickle with my words. If I make a commitment with my words, help me to honor them. Let all of my words reflect Your truth. Let my words be true to You. You never back down on Your word. You keep to your commitments and promises. Lord help me grow to be more like You. Amen