Today’s Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV- “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Solomon, considered the wisest and richest king ever, came to one conclusion after studying life. The conclusion was that all of us should fear God and keep His commandments. Solomon also said everything else is meaningless.
We chase after and pursue many meaningless things throughout our lifetimes. Inside of us is a spirit that follows God as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:7 that “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Our flesh will pass away, yet our spirit goes back to God.
As we mature, the more we discern flesh and spirit. At the end of our days, God and His Spirit remain. As Ecclesiastes 11:6 instructs us we should sow the seeds we have in the morning. From where are we receiving our seeds to sow?
Even Solomon became misdirected by his feelings and desires. Let us pause each morning and seek God and His Spirit’s directions for us. May we welcome God’s kingdom and His will to be done in our lives as Jesus taught us to pray. Let us pray to the God of the harvest for the seeds to sow and the daily bread to be produced for His sheep.
Since the only thing that we face in this life that is forever is God, we should fear Him only. To define fear and keeping His commandments, I went to Gotquestions.org. “The Hebrew word translated as “fear” in Ecclesiastes 12:13 refers to a genuine reverence and respect for the Lord. To “fear God” is to realize His absolute greatness, immutable power, and justice: “And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14, NLT). When we fear God, we acknowledge He is holy and highly exalted (Exodus 3:5–6; Isaiah 8:13; 1 Timothy 1:17), the only One worthy of our worship and complete obedience.
If we fear God and keep His commandments, we have tapped into true wisdom that will guide us on the right path through life. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him,” promises the psalmist (Psalm 128:1). We fear God by worshiping Him with the utmost loyalty, respect, and honor; we obey His Word; and we keep an eternal perspective—these three pursuits define the ultimate purpose of our existence and our chief ambition in life.”
In Proverbs 9:10, Solomon wrote that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” We can begin our days seeking the LORD and His wisdom and we can, in turn, plant the seeds He gives us.
As we plant seeds today of the kingdom of God we can rest and trust in Mark 4:27 which promises that “Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.” (NLT) Let us not get caught up in the temporary crises of the world today yet look to our LORD and plant the seeds His Spirit provides.
Things will grow for the glory of our God that we do not understand. We must only fear Him and obey His commands. Blessings as you cast your seeds today.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming us to seek Your face and Your wisdom. Teach us LORD how to fear You and help us LORD to obey Your commands. Draw us near LORD to live in and from Your eternal Spirit. Strengthen us to weather the trials of this world while living for Your eternal plans. LORD, You know the plans You have for us and our spirits. Help us to be faithful servants to plant the seeds You give us so that Your kingdom comes, and Your will be done. In the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray. Amen.
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