The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 // Psalm 52

“The Lord is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works.”
Psalm 145:13

Vanity of Lip Service

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a jam and cry out to God for help. In our desperation, we even make rash promises or try to bargain with God: “if You will only do this, then I will do that.” But after the crisis passes, these often become empty vows, promises we do not and cannot keep. Again, we dishonor God when we mouth the words in worship, while our minds wander away to other things. Maybe we even rush through our prayer time because we think we don’t have time for God.
The preacher warns us to beware of these rash words, worthless vows, and empty utterances. When we find ourselves guilty of giving lip service to God, we are called to repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” [1st John 1:9].
How blessed we are that Jesus took our sins upon His shoulders to win forgiveness for us! Forgiven, we no longer carry the guilt of our thoughtless words and neglected promises. Unlike our broken promises, God’s promises are certain and sure. God is faithful in all His Words. We can count on Him.

September 12, 2007