The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, “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.
2 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.
3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.
4 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!
5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
6 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 the work of your hands?”

I read a good bit in the news today that I simply do not believe. Even what might be called “Christian news” often gives me pause, for sometimes the “backstories” of those involved fills more of the column than what the person currently claims to be.

Especially is this true when we “go to the house of God…” Sometimes we think that it is sufficient when we offer hasty words borne of impulsive thoughts, only to forget what we have promised. The psalmist says that it is “better that (we) should not vow than that (we) should vow and not pay.”

Our speech causes us to sin when we promise some-thing, but don’t carry through with what we promise. We do expect the LORD to be true to His promises, don’t we? Then why should He not expect us to carry through with ours?

Think of the last time you made a promise to the LORD. Did you keep it? If not, why should you think the LORD should keep His promises? It’s easy to justify forgetting what we promised; yet, we want to hold Him to the promise He gives us. “…better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay” (vs. 5).

Start today with a solemn promise to carry through what you say. Now, how many times have you promised that you would stop doing…saying… being…, but you have not.

Give your life completely to Christ today. It will have never been in safer Hands –and for Eternity.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom