Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a painful verse for a writer like me – even more painful when you consider how much I like to talk.

But then it was written by one of the more prolific writers in the Bible (Solomon).

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

I’ve been there. I’ve said I would do something and failed to follow through.

Sometimes outside circumstances intervened.

Sometimes I’ve flaked out.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

Now, most times, I pray it through and count the cost before I make promises. I still make mistakes but I am learning to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak louder a little more often.

Have promises you’ve made gotten you into trouble before?
How do you wisely determine what promises to make?