Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT)

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

The book of Ecclesiastes cannot be interpreted correctly without reading these final verses. No matter what the mysteries and apparent contradictions of life are, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon shows us that we should enjoy life, but this does not exempt us from obeying God’s commands. We should search for purpose and meaning in life, but they cannot be found in human endeavors. We should acknowledge the evil, foolishness, and injustice in life yet maintain a positive attitude and strong faith in God.

All people will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life. We will not be able to use the inequities of life as an excuse for failing to live properly. We need to:

1. Recognize that human effort apart from God is futile,
   
2. Put God first—now and throughout our life span,
   
3. Receive everything good as a gift from God, and
   
4. Realize that God will judge every person’s life, whether good or evil.
   

How strange that people spend their lives striving for the joy that God gives freely.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Thank You Father for creating wise saints like Solomon! Thank You for giving him the wisdom shared with us in Your Word, and especially these parting words at the end of Ecclesiastes. After all of the wise sayings and advice given by Solomon, yet he pulled us back in to help us realize that the only thing that really matters is that we love and respect You, as our Creator, and obey all that You have taught us in Your Word. Father, I pray that Your words will resonate in every decision that I make and every discourse that I may have. Not for any credit of my own, but that You may be glorified in and through me. Please use me as Your instrument to touch a life today!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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