Pray

Read: Ecc 5:1-7.

Meditation

In the words of John Piper: “Mission exists because worship doesn’t.” In John 4, Jesus tells us that God is seeking worshippers. The highest end for which we were created was to glorify God, to declare his excellence, to revel in his beauty, and to enjoy him forever. And yet, as we reflect on our own worship, how often are we truly so enraptured by God’s beauty that we would say we are reveling in it? Do we delight to declare and sing of God’s goodness? Perhaps we do not delight in God as we ought to, and perhaps sometimes our hearts are cold in worship. But I hope that you can say: “Yes, yes I do delight to worship God, and I lament that my heart is not warmer towards him.”

The most important thing we can do as Christians is to glorify God and worship him. It follows, then, that one of the most important topics we can talk about is worship. In this next passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes, which we will unfold over the next few meditations, Solomon has some startling insights to give us about worship.

As you will know if you have read Ecclesiastes before, this book can be very difficult to understand at times. Throughout our studies, I have been using a governing analogy to help you understand how this book works. I have said that the Book of Ecclesiastes is like a labyrinth, an immense, perplexing, sometimes mysterious maze. It is easy to get lost, easy to find yourself in a dead end with no way of getting to the middle. Solomon’s aim in this book is to show us how to get to the middle. His goal is to teach us how to fear God in a fallen world. At the end of the book, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon says, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” To reach this goal, Solomon leads us through this labyrinth.

He does two kinds of things to guide us. He shows us the path to walk on in a positive sense, winding his way through, leading us in good directions, teaching us the fear of the Lord. But at times he deliberately takes us to dead ends so that we can know what to avoid. Every passage can be thought of as either a dead end or another stretch on the path toward the end goal, part of the right trail in this labyrinth. Sometimes Solomon leads us down dead-end paths, and other times he leads us down paths that positively teach us the fear of the Lord.

At this point, I’m introducing chapter 5:1-7, and in light of our governing metaophor, Solomon’s purpose here is very clear. He’s not trying to show us a dead end in these verses. In these verses he wants to take us deliberately down a very important path in the labyrinth, a path that is crucial if we would seek to live life in the fear of God. The topic on Solomon’s mind here, again, is worship.

What do you think of when I say worship? Take a moment to ponder that question. Do you think of emotions? For many churches today, the primary goal is to experience something emotionally in worship. Maybe you think of routine and comfort. Maybe you think of preaching, as if preaching is the main thing when it comes to church on Sunday. Maybe it is just a religious word. Maybe it is a word you treasure and value because it reminds you of the goodness of God. Whatever the case may be, as Solomon unfolds worship through the eyes of wisdom, there will probably be something, perhaps a number of things, that you did not expect.

I should warn you right up front: the path Solomon leads us on today is central and important, but it is not easy. True to form, Solomon does not pull any of his punches. What he has to say is deeply confronting. There truly is a danger in careless worship. This may not be comfortable, but for anyone sincerely desiring to grow in godliness, it will be beneficial. Let’s follow our guide, then, and see where he takes us in the next few meditations. SDG.

Prayer of Confession & Consecration

Lord, I confess that my heart is often cold in worship, and I have failed to delight fully in your beauty and glory. Forgive me for seeking comfort, routine, or fleeting emotion instead of exalting you with all my soul. By your Spirit, kindle in me a true love for your excellence, that my praise may rise with joy and sincerity. I consecrate myself anew to glorify you in every thought, word, and deed, and to walk faithfully in the fear of the Lord all my days. Please help me to grow in wisdom in the next few studies, that I may worship you in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Get full access to Old things New. at rcbhpastor.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 139: The Danger of Careless Worship (Ecc 5:1-7).