“APPROACHING GOD”
(Ecclesiastes 4:1—6:12)
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. – Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
If we took a poll world-wide we would find that there are all sorts of reasons that people go to church. Maybe tradition, obligation, friends, inspiration. If we’re truthful, if we don’t get what we’re looking for when we go to church, we can be disappointed or even frustrated that it didn’t meet our needs.
In our reading today, Solomon tells us that why and how we come into the house of God is vitally important. He says we are to guard our steps. In the Old Testament, the place where God met man was holy (not common) and protected – from the Garden of Eden to the Tabernacle / Temple – and there was a high reverence and prescribed way to approach God’s presence. So much so, God struck men dead for violating His instructions.
The New Testament reveals to us a new way to come to God, that is through Jesus Christ, and our form is now different. The danger is that we can adopt a casual, flippant attitude and not “guard our steps.” We have become too familiar and comfortable with God.
Solomon then informs us what will keep our worship pure and acceptable. Set your agenda aside. Don’t come making demands of God. “Let your words be few.” Rather, “draw near to listen.” Why? Because “God is in heaven and you are on earth.” Solomon built a magnificent, imposing temple so that all who came near would realize how great God is and how small man is.
That is the essence of worship. We bring nothing to God except humble adoration. He is infinitely greater, majestic, glorious, and our primary purpose when we enter His presence is to be in awe and to listen and obey.
Application:
Approach worship with reverence. Prepare your heart spending time in prayer. Avoid distractions during worship. Engage actively during sermons and Bible readings. Take notes. Participate in small group discussions. Practice daily devotional readings.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please open our eyes to a greater revelation of who you are in holiness, majesty, and glory. Teach us to approach you with reverence, to listen intently to Your Word, and give us grace not only to hear but to obey. May our worship be genuine and our prayers sincere that they might be received by You as a pleasing sacrifice.
About our Author
John A Pra was born and raised in Queens, NY and has lived almost all of his life in the metropolitan area. After graduating from Bible college (now University of Valley Forge) he entered into full-time pastoral ministry. John and his wife, Diana, have been living in Carlstadt since 1990, pastoring Cornerstone Church and now at Transformation Life Church since 2022.
John and Diana have been married for 39 years and have three children and one granddaughter (who owns them). Besides loving time spent with family, he enjoys sports, reading, travel, and the golf course.
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