Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"Fear God and keep His commandments"
Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13
A FINAL WORD OF ADVICE
Solomon drew his book to a close with these words of wisdom. Ultimately, one must include God in all matters of life. This is true wisdom!
“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
1. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter”
a) The commencement of the Book of Ecclesiastes saw Solomon seeking to understand what life was all about.
b) He explored many options personally but found this sobering truth.
Life without including God was “vanity of vanities!”
c) He had searched far and wide, and thought long and deep.
He was now ready to offer his conclusion about what life was all about.
2. “Fear God and keep His commandments”
a) God has to be factored in life.
i) One must learn to regard Him correctly.
ii) One must also learn to relate to Him.
b) In the process of learning:
i) The commandments of God are to be considered.
ii) They were graciously revealed to Man so that he might have faith in Him.
iii) Wisdom teaches Man to keep His commandments for his own well-being.
3. “For this is man’s all”
a) There are many things Man can attempt and achieve in life.
b) But even the greatest of achievements in life could end up in vain.
c) Man must consider God and His commandments.
i) This is the least Man must consider doing.
ii) This is the best things that Man can do.
This was what Solomon meant when he wrote, “This is man’s all”.
4. “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil”
a) Ultimately, we have to stand before God the Creator.
i) Our life begins with Him.
ii) It also ends with Him.
b) He will be the Supreme Judge
i) Of all men.
ii) Of all the works done in life.
c) God will judge everything.
i) The secret things that nobody else knows about.
ii) Nothing will ever escape God who is all-knowing in His omniscience.
A WONDERFULLY COMFORTING THOUGHT
How wonderful it is to know this glorious teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”
John 5:24-30
1. The authority to judge has been given to the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. All who believe in Him will not come into judgment.
3. He has been passed from death into life.
4. All who are in the Lord Jesus can look forward to the resurrection of life.
5. The judgment of the Lord Jesus is truly gracious and righteous!