-September 20, 2021-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
King Solomon wrote three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. They all fall into the category of poetical books. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and how to live for the Lord; Ecclesiastes is written when Solomon was older, and is from man’s perspective under the sun. It shows us the vanity of life without God and in search of pleasure and satisfaction; and Song of Solomon which is a love story between Solomon and the Shulamite maiden, which pictures Christ and His bride the church.
Today’s verses represent Solomon’s conclusion at the end of Ecclesiastes. After all is said and done, the conclusion is for man to “fear God and commandments, for this is man’s all. Solomon is called the Preacher throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. A good conclusion to any book, speech, or sermon is a summary of what is said and application to the readers’ or listeners’ lives. This conclusion is no different, and is one of the best conclusions in the Scriptures. It boils the book, and in fact life, down to two important things: fear God and keep His commandments.
• Fear God – After all his messages about man seeking pleasure and trying to find satisfaction in money, possessions, and pleasure apart from the Lord, he concludes that all of that is vanity and is useless. Instead one should fear God all his days on this earth. To fear God, as we have discussed before, is to reverence Him, honor Him, and put Him first in our lives. He is our Lord and King.
When we fear God, we desire to please Him by the way we live our lives. We live in the light of His presence, knowing He sees all and hears all; and in the light of His coming, knowing He could come at any time. Verse 14 says, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether evil or good.”
• Keep His commandments – The fear of the Lord and obedience to God’s commandments frequently go together in the Bible. When we fear God we will keep His commandments, and when we obey His commandments, we will fear Him more. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” He associated love and obedience together. Love is the best motive for obedience, and obedience is the best way for us to show our love for Christ.
One last thought, Solomon uses the phrase, “every secret thing.” There is nothing secret to the Lord. People can hide things from others, but they can’t hide anything from God. Thank God He saved us, forgave all our sins, and gave us eternal life. To get saved one must confess his sins and ask for forgiveness through the blood of Christ. One must see his need of salvation. Some secrets we carry to the grave, others get exposed during our lifetimes. Either way, God knows them all.
Let us follow this simple two pronged approach: fear God and keep His commandments. It is so easy to remember but much harder to do in these bodies of clay. Thank God for the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have a blessed day fearing God and keeping His commandments for this is man’s all, his duty. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 