Ecclesiastes 12.1-14
Solomon begins and ends with saying all is vanity; that there is meaninglessness to much of what we do as we walk this earth. Our focus on stuff and things, on advancements and promotions, on finances and attainments, on pleasure and entertainment, on seeking to know what we cannot know is in the end, vanity; it has little value at life’s end. We spend our days seeking to gain more of “whatever,” only to give away, sell, or leave behind what we have amassed to another who is in the process of gaining more; we often place our energies on what the world projects as important, but in reality this has no value in eternity. Being called the wisest on the earth and having acquired fortunes beyond comprehension, Solomon recognized that all his gains brought little satisfaction and produced nothing lasting. Looking back at his life he makes a conclusion which is far different from how he had lived. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12.13-14).
Solomon succinctly stated what should be our overriding goal in life is to, “fear God and keep his commandments,” and we are challenged to accept our responsibility that this is the whole duty of man. We are called to work, to provide and care for our families, to use our gifts, and to fulfill our responsibilities in life, as this pleases God. In all things, our drive, our focus, our goal must be to worship God and obey Him. To fear God is to stand in awe before Him, to be amazed in His love and redemptive design for us, to be humble before His majestic throne; it is to recognize His supremacy over all, His righteous judgments to come, and the culmination of His gracious redemptive plan. Fearing God, our response can be none other than to love Him and His Word, to worship Him, and obey Him.
Having a righteous fear of God –– we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 