Before God, v.1-7. How are we to steward our relationship with God — especially in regards to worship? Wiersbe said, “The worship of God is the highest ministry of the church and must come from devoted hearts and yielded wills.” Watch your step. (1) “Sacrifices are not substitutes for obedience.” (Wiersbe) Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” James 1:19, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” “The words of God, rather than the words of the worshiper, are to take priority.” (O’Donnell) Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Hughes says, “Even when we enter a quiet place for worship, the noise of the surrounding culture is still ringing in our ears.” John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Proverb 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Luke 10:38-39, “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” John 6:68, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Next, the wisdom moves from our position on hearing to that of our speaking. (2-3) MacDonald says, “The fact that God is infinitely high above man, as heaven is high above the earth, should teach man to curb his speech when drawing near to Him.” Augustine said, “Remove from prayer much speaking, not much praying.” D.L. Moody said, “Some men’s prayers need to be cut short on both ends and set on fire in the middle.” Spurgeon said, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers, that makes the difference.” The author of Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, wrote: “In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.” And Martin Luther, said that prayers should be “brief, frequent, and intense” because “God has no need of such everlasting twaddle.” He also said: “Remember your situation: God is such a great majesty in heaven, and you are a worm upon earth. You cannot speak about the works of God on the basis of your own judgment. Let God rather do the speaking; do not dispute about the counsels of God and do not try to control things by your own counsels. It is God who can arrange things and perfect them, for He Himself is in heaven…” Proverb 10:19, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Jim Winter points out, “It is not just the number of words that is at issue here. The Preacher warns of rashness and haste in speaking to God—a kind of thoughtless utterance of religious sentiment that has no true thought or purpose behind it.” But you do have to speak some words. (vv.4-7) Charles Bridges offers this wisdom: “A solemn engagement advisedly made with God is a transaction needing much prayer and consideration. It should rest on the clear warrant of God’s word. It should concern a matter really important, suitable, and attainable. It should be so limited, as to open a way for disentanglement under unforeseen contingencies, or altered circumstances." Others, v.8-9. Self, v.10-20.