LEARNING DAILY

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 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.

 

Solomon was undoubtedly the wisest man in history; only Jesus Christ is considered to be wiser! But in his wisdom, Solomon began to change in his view of life and even God. He began to question whether life only had meaning when viewed with the presence of God. Or could life have meaning in other stuff, stuff without God. Solomon chose to try to find the meaning of life in a variety of things – money, possessions, wisdom, his work (and as king), his accomplishments and just being smarter than everyone else. He even tried to find meaning in wives and concubines who “turned his heart to other gods”. It was at that point that the united kingdom under a wise and wealthy king began to have so many problems that it eventually became divided into a northern and southern kingdom. His eventual conclusion was life only had meaning when God is the context, the center of it all.

 

Solomon concluded one needed to “fear God” which, in this context, means “a reverential awe that recognizes God’s sovereignty over all life and leads to worship and humble obedience to Him” (David Jeremiah). The two concluding verses of Ecclesiastes above tell every Believer that God alone gives meaning to every area of life – “including every secret thing, whether good or evil”. I believe you would agree that this life we live is terribly short when compared to eternity. Our lives were created for God; He created each of us for His purpose. No one needs to tell me that life goes by quickly. What hope does one have who has spent their short time on earth laying up treasures on earth as opposed to heaven! This comes from the Lord Jesus Himself in Matthew 6:19-20. For my young readers – do not seek ultimate meaning in things as they are gone too quickly. Instead “fear God and keep His commandments”!

 

What does that mean? I found an interesting article by Ray Stedmon. He used the acrostic to help us remember what it means to fear God. Let me paraphrase it for you. The F stands for the faith in His existence. You cannot come to Him without believing He exists and desires you to place your faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6). Fear begins when there is faith God exists.

 

The E means to experience His grace. How can anyone properly fear God until they learn He is the God of mercy, of grace, and of forgiveness. This is not a one-time occurrence! Until you have stood in His presence, felt your guilt/unworthiness, acknowledged your sinfulness/guilt and heard Him in your heart forgive you and tell you to go, sin no more (John 8:11) you will never be able to properly fear God.

 

The letter A stands for awe. It is to be in awe at the majesty, the wisdom, and wonder of God. We are talking about the One who created the universe and all the stars and galaxies, calling them by name. We are talking about the One who knows the number of hairs on your head and hears your very voice, keeping track of every tear shed; He relates to every single person who has ever lived. Awe at knowing His majesty, His omniscience, His omnipresence and that He loves you; is part of fearing God.

 

The R stands for resolve. It is the resolve to do what He says, to keep His commandments (to walk on his narrow way into eternal life in His kingdom!). As Pastor Ed Newton often tells us, “Love God (with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind) and love people”. “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

 

That is the conclusion Solomon has made to the meaning of life. “Fear God and keep His commandments”! God has made the way for us to get right with Him (through Jesus Christ). He has made the way for us to live for Him (by walking on the narrow way) and to be what God intended us to be. The choice is ours to make!