Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
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
What is your duty as a human being created by God? Is it to having pleasure all the time in everything you perceive; in what you see, hear, feel, taste, or smell? To indulge our physical nature into something that can satisfy us? Perhaps yes, God provided this physical world to enjoy, but it is not the primary duty of man to find satisfaction in everything around him. The author of Ecclesiastes, after his long observation of this world, and after all he has experienced, he had been thinking and explaining how he has tried and tested everything.
His view in life was meaningless until he had concluded that the duty of man is to fear God and obey His commands. But how can we fear God when the author described that all is vanity, useless, and pointless? With God, life is meaningful and wonderful. Learning to fear God is simple, He eternally exists without limits and we as humans have only limited life of existence. When our soul or spirit is separated from God, it has been a horror to think about because God can do everything and anything He wants. Nothing is impossible to Him. He has the power to throw us to hell. So fear Him—He is God Almighty. We can do nothing without God.
God makes a man enjoy life by walking with Him on our side, to do His will and purpose in our lives. He can satisfy us even in the smallest needs and biggest wants. Nothing can compare to the goodness of God. That is why David, who fears God, bowed down in his presence and asked the Lord, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." David was complete in the presence of the Lord in his life.
Now, about obeying His commands, how do we obey him? To the stubborn man, it is hard for him to obey, but Apostle John said that to love and obey God is to obey His commandments for they are not burdensome, because the true children of God have the Holy Spirit on their side who helps and completes the action for obeying God's word.
Finally, the author said to be aware because God will bring every deed into judgment. We will stand in front of our God to give Him an account of whatever deed we have done—whether we obeyed Him or not. He will give rewards to those who accept God and do His will, while He will also give punishment to the unjust for not believing and denying God. So, we have to be careful about it. The author makes a conclusion "fear God and obey his commandments."
Reflect
1. Do you fear God?
2. Are you willing to obey Him?
3. Have you committed your life to God?
Remember
God is the one whom we must fear because He has the power to judge us, whether blessing or punishment, for every action we do.
Read
1 John 5:1-15; Psalm 51:10-19; Proverbs 8:22-36; Luke 12:1-12
Pray
Lord, You are worthy to receive praise and honor because of Your right judgment for every person. I fear You because of Your mighty power. Please help me, Lord, to do Your will here on earth as it is in heaven. Thank You for the salvation You have given me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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