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 1:13-14
I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 12:8-14, which is the third division of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 per the commentary - as the commentary shares that "Ecclesiastes cannot be rightly understood without the conclusion." In the concluding verses of Ecclesiastes, Solomon starts with "all is vanity[,]" once again pointing to the meaningless of all activity, wisdom, and knowledge apart from God. The final verses of Ecclesiastes, indeed, as the commentary shares, describe how Solomon, a man of great wisdom and intelligence, searches high and low for the meaning of life (including over the course of his own life) and ultimately concludes that the whole duty of man is to "[f]ear God and keep his commandments[, as...] God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." Indeed, we exist solely to glorify God and we must also be certain to be holy as He is holy as we will all be judged according to what we have done and most importantly whether we trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - thank You Jesus for Your mercies that are new every morning and that never cease. I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
